The influence of manual semen collection in male trained dogs (Canis familiaris), in the presence or absence of a female in estrus, on the concentrations of cortisol, oxytocin, prolactin and testosterone

Abstrakt

Sex pheromones are chemical substances secreted into the environment that affect the physiology and behavior of recipients. Females use these compounds during oestrus to attract males, which leads to attempts of mating. This study evaluates the influence of manual semen collection in male dogs, in the presence or absence of a female in estrus, on the blood concentrations of cortisol (CRT), oxytocin (OXT), prolactin (PRL) and testosterone (T), as hormones involved both in the physiology of reproduction and stress. Ten male dogs were used in Experiment 1 to measure the serum and plasma concentrations of the aforementioned hormones in the absence of semen collection. Subsequently in the same animals, the concentrations of these hormones were evaluated before and after semen collection in the presence (Exp. 2) or in absence of a female in estrus (Exp. 3). No significant changes in hormone concentration caused by the semen collection were found, either with, or without the presence of female in estrus. Obtained results suggest that the procedure of manual semen collection in dogs, probably due to its passive character, does not stimulate endocrine glands to secrete hormones, and the process of ejaculation is probably controlled by neural pathway. The lack of effect of semiochemical stimulation to the CRT, PRL, OXT and T level, could be caused by a short contact with female during semen collection. Further studies on involvement of the hormones during the process of natural mating, especially preceded by long courtships, similar to that observed under natural conditions, should shed a light on the physiology of mating and the connection between the endocrine system and semiochemical stimulation in dogs.

Autorzy

Martyna Woszczyło
Martyna Woszczyło
Antoni Szumny
Antoni Szumny
Piotr Knap
Piotr Knap
Tadeusz Jezierski
Tadeusz Jezierski
Wojciech Niżański
Wojciech Niżański
Agata Kokocińska
Agata Kokocińska
Marcin J. Skwark
Marcin J. Skwark
Michał Dzięcioł
Michał Dzięcioł
artykuł
PLoS One
Angielski
2023
18
2
0278524
otwarte czasopismo
CC BY 4.0 Uznanie autorstwa 4.0
ostateczna wersja opublikowana
w momencie opublikowania
2023-02-02
140
2,9
0
0