Hormonal control of spermatogenesis in adult albino rat; ultrastructural, endocrinological 1-fsh and testosterone

ABSTRACT

A quantitative and qualitative analysis of germ cell populations in normal, hypophysectomized [Hx] and Hx-hormone treated animals was undertaken during the periods of regression that were characterized as intermediate between short-term and long-term regression of the testis. Ten groups of adult rats were utilized and administered either follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] or testosterone [T] in different combinations. Flutamide and casodex were used to compete with and rogen binding to receptors in Hx animals where it is known that small amounts of and rogen are secreted in spite of the lack of a pituitary gl and. FSH and T significantly increased the testis weight as compared with Hx controls, but FSH and T were the most effective either singly or in combination. A novel assay for the determination of the numbers of viable germ cells was used in these groups to determine the cellular sites of FSH and T action