Local Increase in Testosterone Concentration in the Testicular Artery in Rams1

Abstract

Plasma testosterone concentrations were measured in blood from the testicular artery and intestinal artery in five rams. The concentration of testosterone was an average of 15.1% higher (P<.05) in the testicular artery (6.4 ng/ml) than in the intestinal artery (5.7 ng/ml). In a second experiment with seven rams, the concentration of testosterone was an average of 11.5% higher (P<.05) in the testicular artery (4.3 ng/ml) than in the abdominal aorta (3.8 ng/ml). Results are consistent with the hypothesis of a venoarterial pathway involving the testicular artery and the venous pampiniform plexus in rams. Copyright © 1974. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1974 by American Society of Animal Science.