Studies on reproduction in the camel (Camelus dromedarius) V. morphology of the testis in relation to age and season.

Quantitative and qualitative changes in the morphology of the camel testis were studied in relation to age (6 to 18 years) and season. The diameter of the seminiferous tubules increased up to the age of 9 years. There was little variation in the number of germinal cells (spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes and spermatids) with the advancement of age. The number of spermatozoa increased up to the age of 10 years and decreased thereafter. Khe number of Sertoli cells was almost constant. Significant monthly and seasonal changes were observed in the criteria studied. The largest seminiferous tubule diameters and the greatest numbers of spermatogonia, spermatids and spermatozoa were found in the material collected during the spring. The numbers of mature Leydig cells, compared to the numbers of pre-Leydig and immature Leydig cells, increased by the end of winter so that, during the spring, the interstitial cells were mainly of the mature type. Degenerative changes with diminished numbers of mature cells were seen in the summer and this trend continued into early and mid-autumn.