RESUMO
By means of histological and immunohistochemical methods,effects of a singleintraperitoneal injection of ethane dimethanesulphonate(EDS,75 mg/kg bodyweight)on the hypothalamo-pituitary-testicular axis of the rat were observed inthis study.Three days after administration of EDS,Leydig cells were eliminated;some LH cells in pituitary became larger or decreased in immunoreactivity;but nosignificant change could be found in hypothalamic GnRH system.Seven days afterEDS,degeneration of spermatogenic epithelium was marked,the staining intensity ofLH cells was generally reduced,the number of GnRH immunorcactive neurons inthe hypothalamus as well as the density and staining intensity of GnRH fibers andterminals in the median eminence were significantly diminished.Testosteronereplacement increased the number of late spcrmatids in testis and restored theabove-mentioned changes in the hypothalamus and pituitary.These results indicate that following administration of EDS,1)spermatogenesisdamage is resulted from destruction of Leydig cells and cessation of testosterone secretion;2)respective hormone release from hypothalamic GnRH system andpituitary LH cells is increased;3)loss of testosterone negative feedback is themajor factor responsible for the enhancement of secretory activity of the hypotha-lamo-pituitary axis;and that 4)EDS can be a useful experimental tool forstudying hypothalamo-pituitary-testiculer axis and intratesticular local regulation.
