Summary
Concerning the gonads, the initial comb size in white leghorn cockerels proved to be a parameter which permits a more exact comparison of control and experimental animals, than the generally used parameters of identical age and/or body weight. As in literature contradictory results are described after injecting different concentrations of 5-methoxyindoles, it may be possible that these results can be explained by the parameters used. To analyse this, several concentrations of 5-methoxytryptophol were injected in increasing amounts in white leghorn cockerels, using the comb size as a parameter. In all experiments a stimulatory effect of 5-methoxytryptophol on testicular weight was observed. Administration of the smallest concentrations (0.1–3.5μg, exp. I, and 1.0–35μg, exp. II) showed an acceleration of the growing rhythm of the testes if compared with the control animals. With the comb size as a parameter it was possible to analyse the degree of stimulation in comb size units. Administration of 2.5–87.5μg (exp. III) and of 10–350μg (exp. IV) of 5-methoxytryptophol resulted also in a stimulatory activity on testicular growth; acceleration of the growing rhythm, however, now proved to be irregular and could not be compared with the growing pattern of the testes in the control animals.
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Balemans, M.G.M. The stimulatory effects of several concentrations of 5-methoxytryptophol on testicular growth in the white leghorn (Gallus domesticus L.). J. Neural Transmission 34, 49–60 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01244826
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01244826