Age-Dependent Variations in Testicular and Epididymal Morphology of Mixed Nigerian Local–Exotic Boars
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Abstract
Pigs are central to Nigeria’s livestock sector, yet little is known about how age influences reproductive organ morphology in mixed local–exotic breeds. This study examined age related changes in testicular and epididymal morphology of mixed Nigerian local–exotic pigs using gross, morphometric, and histological methods. Testes and epididymides were collected from sixteen (16) non descript boars at the Jos abattoir and commercial farms, and grouped into four categories (n = 4): prepubertal (1–4 months), pubertal (5–12 months), adult (13–24 months), and aged (>24 months). Testicular and epididymal gross bio-morphometric parameters (weight, length, width, and circumference), testicular histomorphometric indices [seminiferous epithelial height (SEH), seminiferous luminal diameter (SLD), and seminiferous tubular diameter (STD)], as well as epididymal histomorphometric indices [epididymal ductal epithelial height (EDEH), epididymal luminal diameter (EDLD), epididymal tubular diameter (EDTD), and periductal muscular thickness (EDPMT)] were assessed using standard procedures. Across groups, testes appeared large, creamy white, and ellipsoidal, while epididymides consistently showed a crescent shape with distinct divisions into caput, corpus, and cauda. Testiculo epididymal weights were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in aged pigs, whereas prepubertal pigs recorded lower values for most morphometric parameters. Overall, these measures increased progressively with age. Strong positive correlations were observed among biomorphometric parameters in both prepubertal and aged groups. Histology revealed mixed epithelial types in prepubertal epididymides, ranging from simple columnar to pseudostratified columnar, with no luminal spermatozoa. In contrast, pubertal, adult, and aged pigs exhibited typical pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Seminiferous and epididymal luminal and tubular diameters were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in prepubertal pigs but increased steadily with age. This study provides essential baseline data on age dependent testicular and epididymal morphology in mixed Nigerian local–exotic boars, linking structural changes to reproductive function and offering insights for breeding, veterinary practice, and sustainable pig production.
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