EPISODIC RELEASE OF LH AND TESTOSTERONE IN PREPUBERTAL, PUBERTAL AND POSTPUBERTAL SURTI BUFFALO MALE CALVES

Episodic release of LH and testosterone (T) was studied in 2 each of S urti buffalo male calves at 7-9, 12-13, 16-18 and 26-30 months of age by collecting blood plasma at an interval of 20 min for 24 hr. Signifi cant difference (P<0.05) existed in peak levels of LH and testosterone in buffalo calves of 16-18 and 26-30 months age respectively. Signifi cantly higher (P<0.05) basal and mean levels of testosterone were reco rded in calves of age groups 12-13 and 26-30 months. The shorter inter val between 2 LH peaks was recorded during light hours in 12-13 and 16 -18 months old calves. The interval between testosterone peaks was sho rter during dark hours in 12-13 and 26-30 months age group of buffalo calves. The number of episodes of LH and testosterone were not very mu ch related to age but were set according to the circadian clock of the species. The secretory patterns of LH and testosterone in Surti buffa lo bull calves did not exhibit close temporal relationships between th em. The findings are discussed on the basis of physiological reasoning .