Age-related changes in blood concentrations of FSH, LH and testosterone and testicular morphology in a new rat sterile mutant with hereditary aspermia
in ReproductionSearch for other papers by J. Noguchi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by M. Yoshida in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by H. Ikadai in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by T. Imamichi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by G. Watanabe in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by K. Taya in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
A new rat mutant showing aspermia was investigated. Groups of 4–7 mutant male rats were killed at 3, 5, 10, 15 and 25 weeks of age. Examination by microscope showed apparent abnormalities in the seminiferous epithelium from 3 weeks of age onward. Inclusion-like bodies were observed in the cytoplasm of pachytene spermatocytes from 3 weeks old and instead of spermiation, polynuclear giant cells were formed within the seminiferous epithelium after 5 weeks of age. Histological analysis of seminiferous epithelium of adult mutant rats also showed a marked decrease in the number of preleptotene, leptotene and pachytene spermatocytes and tubules containing only spermatogonia and Sertoli cells in the seminiferous epithelium increased with age. However, the combination of other cellular elements of germ cells in the seminiferous epithelium was similar to that in normal rats and the distribution rate of these seminiferous tubules was close to that of normal rats, indicating that cyclicity of seminiferous epithelium was still maintained in the mutant rats despite the lack of spermiation. Plasma concentrations of FSH and LH were significantly higher in the mutant male rats than in normal male rats at 5 and 10 weeks of age onward, respectively. Plasma concentrations of testosterone were lower in the mutant male rats than in normal male rats. Silastic capsules containing testosterone were implanted into the unilateral testis of adult mutant male rats and animals were autopsied 5 weeks later. However, intratesticular administration of testosterone did not affect restoration of spermatogenesis. These results indicate that the arrest of spermatogenesis had occurred from the first cycle of spermatogenesis and the primary defect in the mutant is not gonadotrophin and testosterone deficiency.
Reproduction is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 191 | 85 | 0 |
| PDF Downloads | 83 | 26 | 1 |
Online ISSN: 1741-7899
Print ISSN: 1470-1626
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519