Journal of Applied Sciences1812-56541812-5662Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jas.2010.1271.1278Gallus domesticus)]]>E. OrluEme EgbunikeG.N. 1220101013Due to the hostile climatic environment of the humid tropics characterized by high ambient temperature and humidity all year round, this study was initiated to evaluate the effect of breed and season on the testicular histometric and cellular populations of the domestic fowl. Testes obtained from forty sexually matured cocks consisting of 20 barred Plymouth Rock (bPR) and 20 non-descript Nigerian Indigenous Breeds (NIB) were processed by histological and histometric methods. Volumetric proportions of testicular germ cells remained unaffected by breed or season. Seminiferous tubules occupied 83-87% of the testicular mass in NIB and bPR, respectively. Nuclear diameter of the germ cells and their volumes remained unaffected by breed and season. The mean seminiferous tubule diameter (248.56±12.56 vs. 212.93±9.39 μm) and the seminiferous tubule length/paired testes (221.13±12.59 vs. 133.73±4.52 m) were significantly (p<0.01) influenced by breed with the bPR having the higher values, the mean seminiferous tubule length/g of testicular parenchyma remained unaffected by breed or season. Sertoli Cell Index showed a linear relationship with the testes weight characterized by the equation Y = 0.163x + 1.733, r = 0.9000, R2 = 0.81 (p<0.001). Similar significant (p<0.001) relationships occurred between seminiferous tubule length (r = 0.8651 (p<0.001) ,seminiferous tubule diameter (r = 0.7658, p<0.001), volume % round spermatids (r = 0.9904, p<0.001), testicular parenchyma volume (r = 0.9073, p<0.001) and volume % of seminiferous tubule(r = 0.5474, p<0.001). These parameters can be predicted from testicular weights and testicular histometry provides a reliable tool for the assessment of the reproductive state and potential sperm production capacity in the domestic fowl.]]>Almeida, F.F.L., C.L. Marcelo and L.R. Franca,2006Sus scrofa scrofa).]]>75792799Asuquo,O.R., A.O. Igiri, O.O. Olawoyin and E.U. Eyong,200722135139Azevedo, M.T.P., S. Matta, C. Fonseca, E. Costa, D. Costa and J. Peixoto,20101188388Berndston, W.E.,197744818833Berndtson, W.E. and C. Desjardins, 1974140167179Berndtson, W.E., G. Igboeli and B.W. Pickett,198764241246Bitto, I.I., G.N. Egbunike, and M.O. Akusu,2008Bucks in their native tropical environment.]]>26397401Boiani, L., N. Berois and G. D'Elia,2008Oligoryzomys flavescens (Rodentia; Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) from Uruguay.]]>152332Costa, D.S. and J.F.S. Silva,2006Sus scrofa scrofa) seminiferous tubules morphometry.]]>49739745Couto, D. and S.A. Talamoni,2005Akodon montensis Thomas and Bolomys lasiurus (Lund) (Rodentia, Muridae) based on histological and histometric analyses of testes and external characteristics of gonads.]]>86111118De Barros, J.B., T.A. Paula, S.L. Matta, C.C. Fonseca and F.L. Leite et al.,2007Panthera leo, Linnaeus, 1758).]]>102350356De Reviers, M. and J P. Brillard,197414591600Dzoma, B.M. and K. Motshegwa,20098660664Dzoma, B.M.,20109229239Egbunike, G.N., W. Holtz and D. Smidt,1976113537Franca, L.R. and C.L. Godinho,2003Felis catus).]]>6815541561Hochereau-de-Reviers, M.T. and G.A. Lincoln,1978Cervus elephus .]]>54209213Johnson, L.,199144284291Johnson, L. and W.B. Neaves,1981Leydig cell population, seminiferous tubules and sperm production in stallions.]]>24703712Leal, M.C. and L.R. Franca,2006Callithrix penicillata) is similar to humans.]]>74616624Leal, M.C., S.C. Becker-Silva, H. Chiarini-Garcia and L.R. França,2004Capra hircus).]]>1122128Noirault, J., J. Brillard and M.R. Bakst,2006Meleagris gallopavo): Quantitative approach in immature and adult males subjected to various photoperiods.]]>65845859Nusier, M.K., H.N. Bataineh and H.M. Daradkah,2007Rosmarinus officinalis L.) on reproductive function in adult male rats.]]>232809813Okwun, O.E., G. Igboeli, J.J. Ford, D.D. Lunstra and L. Johnson,1996107137149Orlu, E.E. and G.N. Egbunike,2009Gallus domesticus) as determined by quantitative testicular histology and homogenate methods.]]>1213591364Orlu, E.E. and G.N. Egbunike,201013120125Raji, A.O., J.U. Igwebuike and J. Aliyu,2008369Segatelli, T.M., L.R. Franca, P.F.F. Pinheiro, C.C.D. Alemida, M. Martinez and F.E. Martinez,2004Meriones unguiculatus).]]>2566Steel, R.G.D., D. Dickey and J.H. Torrie,19963rd Edn.,Pages: 672Pages: 672Wettemann, R.P and C. Desjardins,197920235241Franca, L.R. and L.D. Russell,19981998pp: 197-219pp: 197-219Abercrombie, M.,194694239247Egbunike, G.N., W. Holtz and D. Smidt,2007113537