Testicular endocrine function, seasonality and semen quality of the stallion

To gain further information on gonadal function of the stallion, concentrations of testicular steroids in blood plasma (bpl) and seminal plasma (spl) and their distribution in the ejaculate were determined. Blood and semen samples from a total of 11 stallions were collected from November to July. Estrone (E1), estrone sulfate (E1S), estradiol-17β (E2β) and testosterone (T) were determined in bpl and spl, and in addition androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) were measured in spl. At certain points of time, aliquots of an ejaculate were centrifuged, washed and the distribution of E1, E1S, E2β and T into seminal plasma and the sperm fraction was assessed. Hormone assay was by RIA, partly after prior separation by HPLC. Mean concentrations (X̄g·DF) were as follows: E2β (bpl) 31.1 (1.16), (spl) 24.2 (1.42) pg ml−1; E1 (bpl) 143.3 (1.21), (spl) 117.7 (1.53) pg ml−1; E1S (bpl) 157.3 (1.44), (spl) 2.92 (1.42) ng ml−1; T (bpl) 570.6 (1.43), (spl) 23.1 (1.68) pg ml−1; A (spl) 17.9 (1.39) pg ml−1; DHEH (spl) 12.4 (1.51) pg ml−1; 5α-DHT (spl) 9.7 (1.29) pg ml−1. Except for E2β and A in seminal plasma, a seasonal pattern was established for all other steroids with lowest mean values occurring from November to April. From the semen parameters determined, only motility was correlated to season. There was a higher correlation among oestrogen in blp than in spl and the only correlation identified between oestrogenic and androgenic steroids was between T and E2β in blp. In spl, T was correlated with A and 5α-DHT. T was the dominant free steroid in bpl while it was E1 in spl; T and E1S concentrations were about 23- and 54-fold lower in spl compared to bpl with E1S, however, showing the highest absolute values in both fluids. In the fractionated ejaculate an association of free oestrogens, particularly E2β, with spermatozoa was observed.