Abstract
The developmental process of the reproductive organs was morphologically and histologically investigated in Jinhua boars after birth. The testis greatly developed after 45 days of age. Spermatozoa were first found in the seminiferous tubules at approximately 75 days of age, when the histological composition of the seminiferous epithelium improved to a mature type. Epididymis grew rapidly after 45 days of age, and revealed a well-developed structure of the ductal epithelium in any region by 60-75 days of age. On the other hand, the weight of each accessory genital gland increased rapidly after 60 days of age. In the seminal vesicle, corpus prostatae and blubourethral gland, the terminal portions were well ramified and filled with PAS-positive secretions by 75-90, 90 and 30-45 days of age, respectively. These results indicate that Jinhua boars reach puberty as early as 75 days of age. It also appears that development of the reproductive organs occurs at an earlier age in Jinhua boars than in European and American breeds.
