Rise in age of sexual maturation in male Japanese monkeys at Takasakiyama in relation to nutritional conditions |
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Authors: | Hideo Nigi Shin-ichi Hayama Ryuzo Torii |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Wild Animal Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Zootechnical College, Musashino, 180 Tokyo, Japan;(2) Institute for Experimental Animals, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta, Ohtsu, 520-21 Shiga, Japan |
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Abstract: | A few reports have suggested the possibility that feeding conditions might affect the sexual maturation of free-ranging Japanese
monkeys in provisionized troops. In the present study, the sexual maturation of male monkeys at Takasakiyama in 1984, nine
years after the start of restriction of artificial feeding, was examined externally and histologically and the results were
compared with data obtained in 1971, when artificial foods were abundantly given. Spermatogenesis was not observed in any
of the males under 4.5 years old in the present study, whereas it was noted in some premature 3.5-year-old males and in all
males over 4.5 years old in the 1971 study. The age of sexual maturation thus rose by one or more years over the 13-year period
from 1971 to 1984. The lag in sexual maturation of the males at Takasakiyama in 1984 could have been induced by the restriction
of artificial feeding. |
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Keywords: | Sexual maturation Japanese monkey Spermatogenesis Nutritional conditions |
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