Effect of LH, FSH, LH + FSH and homoplastic pituitary extract on developing testis and epididymis of pigeon Columba livia.

Ovine LH is needed for differentiation of juvenile Leydig cells and for their maintenance and steroidogenic potential, while FSH is necessary for Sertoli cell activity and spermatogonial multiplication suggesting that LH is steroidogenic hormone and FSH is gametogenic in the developing pigeon, C. livia. Homoplastic pituitary extract is more potent than ovine LH + FSH in stimulating gametogenic and endocrine components of the developing testis.