A. I. Nefedov, L. I. Drozdova
Ural State Agrarian University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
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Volume 26 No. 4
Date of paper submission: 23.01.2026, date of review: 20.02.2026, date of acceptance: 27.02.2026.
Published: 04/30/2026
Abstract. The purpose of the study is to study the morphological changes occurring in different age periods in the testes and their appendages in goats and sheep, as well as their interspecies comparison. Methods. To carry out the research, the anatomical and histological methods were used, macro-morphometry of organs and micromorphometry of histological structures of the testes and their appendages were performed. For statistical processing of the macro-morphometry and micro-morphometry data arrays, the nonparametric Mann – Whitney test was used. Scientific novelty. The article presents new data on the morphometric and linear indicators of the testes and their appendages in goats and sheep in terms of age and interspecies comparison, which have not been previously reported in the scientific literature. Results. The testes and their appendages in goats and sheep have a similar anatomical and histological structure at different ages. The main differences in interspecies comparison are found in the shape of the testes, the formation of the mediastinum, the size and shape of various parts of the epididymis, the location of the epididymis of the testis, as well as in the dynamics of growth and development of the convoluted seminiferous tubules, the connective tissue stroma of the organ, and the duct of the epididymis in different areas. However, no statistically significant differences in the height of the epithelium of the duct of the epididymis were found in different age groups. A similar situation was observed when processing data on the height of the epithelium of the convoluted seminiferous tubules of the testes. It has also been found that the tunica albuginea of the testis in goats increases only up to the age of 11 months, while in rams the tendency to increase continues at a later age.
Keywords: goats, rams, reproductive system, testicles and epididymis, age-related morphology, histology, morphometry
For citation: Nefedov A. I., Drozdova L. I. Comparative age-related morphology and morphometry of the testes and their appendages in goats and sheep. Agrarian Bulletin of the Urals. 2026; 26 (04): 705‒718. https://doi.org/10.32417/1997-4868-2026-26-04-705-718 (In Russ.)
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