European brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pall.) testes weights from different seasons and ages from Bulgaria

Abstract

Testis weights on 315 European brown hare from different ages were measured during the whole year around in Bulgaria and testicular activity was studied. From the results, we determinate, that the active reproductive season finish at end of August and beginning of September, whereupon follow period of calm when the testis weights were lowest. In September, October, and the beginning of November, the weights of the testes were low. The first indications for starting of the new reproductive season were shown in November, gradually with growth of the testis weights. In January the testis weights reached high levels, as the highest weights were measured in May-June and with a bit lower values in July and August. After this follow low weights, when the calm period started in September and the testis growth is reactive in December. All adult males (above 1 year old, determined by dry eye lens weights, n = 160), had high significant values (p

Keywords

• Testis weight
• brown hare
• sperm density
• testicul