Androgen levels in intact and vasectomized rams during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons.

Plasma androgen profiles were studied in two intact and two vasectomized rams in October (over a 12-hour period) and in a similar number in February (over a 25-hour period). No significant differences were found between intact animals and those vasectomized 4, 6, and 7 months previously. All intact and vasectomized animals showed a marked difference in profiles between October and February. The response to an intravenous injection of 4500 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin was also studied in February and no significant difference was observed in the subsequent pattern of plasma androgens.