Lack of effect on sexual behaviour or the development of testicular function after removal of olfactory bulbs in prepubertal boars

Abstract

Bilateral olfactory bulb ablation was carried out surgically on 8 prepubertal Large White boars when they were 10-12 weeks of age. Between 26 weeks and slaughter at 47-49 weeks of age, androgen was determined in peripheral blood plasma of bulbectomized and unoperated control animals. The pigs were exposed to oestrous female pigs to observe mating behaviour, and to alien boars to observe aggressive behaviour. Saliva produced during behaviour tests was extracted with diethyl ether and levels of the pheromonal 16-androstene steroids in the extracts were determined by a colorimetric assay. After slaughter the testes, accessory organs and submaxillary glands were weighed, and pices of tissue together with olfactory epithelium were processed for light microscopy; fructose and zinc were determined in the seminal vesicles. The results showed that, contrary to findings in some rodents, prepubertal bilateral bulbectomy in the male pig had no significant effect on mating or aggressive behaviour, or testicular function in so far as complete spermatogenesis was present and normal levels of androgen and pheromone were maintained together with the integrity of the accessory organs. However, in keeping with findings in other species, the height of the olfactory epithelium was generally reduced in the bulbectomized pigs.