EN
The effects of Escherichia coli endotoxin and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on certain clinical and pathological variables and serum testosterone concentration were studied in the breeding stallions. The study was conducted on 10 stallions of Polish Primitive Horses divided into three groups: group I (n=3) - exposed to 0.3 µg/kg b.w of LPS Escherichia coli; group II (n=3) -treated with physiological saline solution and human chorionic gonadotropin in the single dose of 6,000 IU; and group III (n=4) - given endotoxin and hCG. Rectal temperature, scrotal skin temperature, heart rate, and white blood cell count were determined. Serum blood samples were measured for testosterone concentrations. Comparing the group of stallions with the saline solution+hCG with endotoxin-treated stallions, there were significant clinical and haematological alterations (fever, with rise of rectal and scrotal temperature, tachycardia, and leukopoenia). Endotoxaemia resulted also in changes of serum testosterone concentration (with early decrease and later increase). The hCG has not prevented the decrease in level of testosterone.