Spermatogenic and steroidogenic testicular function in hypothyroid pubertal rats

ABSTRACT

The reproductive system of immature rats is held to be more influenced thyroid dysfunction than that of adult animals. The effect of hypothyroidism on the spermatogenic process of the rat has not been reported previously. th objetive of the present study was to investigate the spermatogenic and been reported previously. The objetive of the present study was to investigate the spermatogenic and steroidogenic functions of pubertal hypothyroid rats. Hypothyroidism by ad libitum ingestion of a 0.05% solution of propylthiouracil for 60 days, and confirmed by reduced plasma thyroxine levels in treated rats. Plasma testosterone level, the histological features of the testis and epididymis and the concentration of spermatozoa stored in the cauda epididymis were unchanged by hypothyroidism