Action of testosterone propionate and growth hormone on the os penis of the Indian palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti (Wroughton)

Abstract

The growth of the os penis in the Indian palm squirrel was studied in relation to age and testicular function. Increase in the weight of the os penis which occurs during the transition from the immature (prepuberal) to the puberal state is correlated with testicular activity, indicating an influence of androgens on the growth of this bone. In immature squirrels, adminstration of testosterone propionate (TP) increased the weight of the os penis. Growth hormone (STH) neither had any effect on the growth of the baculum nor did it synergize with TP in its effects on the bone. The weights of the os penis of mature squirrels do not show any seasonal variation, though the testes regress during sexual quiescence. TP alone or with STH did not have any effect on the weight of the baculum in mature squirrels.