The role of fat body in testicular spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in Rana hexadactyla Lesson.

ABSTRACT

The fat body appears to contribute cholesterol for testicular steroidogenesis. It also appears to provide prostaglandins and cyclic AMP for testicular steroidogenesis since fatectomy impairs this process which is corrected by the addition of prostaglandins and cyclic AMP. Of the two, prostaglandins have a more important role in spermatogenesis and cyclic AMP functions in steroidogenesis These functions of the fat body suggests that it constitutes a link in the hypothalamohypophysial- gonadal axis.