These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Effect of estrogen on biochemical composition of the rat seminiferous tubules.
    Author: Jehan Q, Kamboj VP, Chowdhury AR, Kar AB.
    Journal: Acta Biol Med Ger; 1971; 26(3):543-50. PubMed ID: 5148319.
    Abstract:
    This study concerns the effect of graded doses of estrogen, alone or in combinations with progesterone, on the biochemical composition of the rat seminiferous tubules. Data on the accessory genital organs and pituitary gonadotrophic activity are added. Adult male albino rats received estradiol dipropionate (.1, 1 and 5 mcg/rat) injected intramuscularly, in .1 ml olive oil, daily for 30 days. Animals given the 5 mcg dose were given a 30 day rest period to determine reversibility of effects. In another group estrogen (5 mcg/rat) and progesterone (1 mg/rat) were given concurrently but at different sites for 30 days. Controls received vehicle only. Animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last injection or rest period and genital organs and the pituitary were removed for study. A progessive reduction in testis weight with dosage was found after estrogen or the combination (p is less that .01). The low dose (.1mcg) had an inconsistent effect on spermatogenesis and endocrine function of the testis. Diameter of the tubules was reduced. Spermatogenesis was arrested in 25% of the tubules at the spermatid of secondary spermatocyte stage. Some normal spermatozoa were seen. Tunica propria was thickened. Some Leydig cells showed atrophy. Vascularity was increased. The median dose (1 mcg) caused spermatogenic arrest at the spermatid or secondary spermatocyte stage but the Sertoli cells were prominent. Only a few spermatozoa were seen. There was some desquamation of seminiferous epithilium. Tubular diameter was still further reduced and the tunica propria thickened. Leydig cells were atrophied. Few spermatozoa were found although 25-30% showed some spermatogenesis. The high dose (5 mcg) caused marked reduction in the diameter of the tubules. Spermatogenesis was arrested at the primary spermatocyte or spermatogonial stage. The tunica popria was much thickened. There was much desquamation and tubular lumeus were filled with debris. The Sertoli cells were hypertrophied. The Leydig cells were atrophied. The tunica albuginea was thickened. There were no spermatozoa. In the recovery group estrogen effects had disappeared, but the tubular diameter remained reduced. Tunica propria was normal. Spermatogenesis progressed to the spermatid stage and in 50% of the tubules many spermatozoa were present. The Leydig cells appeared normal. However spermatozoa were not found in the vas defereus. The histological appearance of the teatis in the estrogen and progesterone group was of the high dose estrogen type but with arrest of spermatogenesis at the spermatid, spermatocye or spermatogonial stage. The Sertoli cells remained hypertrophied. Leydig cells were atrophic. The large blood vessels were engorged. Weight of organs returned almost to normal. Estrogen .1 and 1 mcg had no effect on pituitary weight or gonadotrophin content. The high dose (5 mcg) alone or with progesterone caused a significant increase in pituitary weight (p is less than .0). Estrogen alone (5 mcg) caused a significant decline in pituitary gonadotrophin content (p is less than .0) but the combined therapy had no effect. None of the biochemical constituents of the seminiferous tubules showed any change after injection of .1 mcg of estrogen but 1 mcg dose caused an increase in protein nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase activity and total lipids. The high dose (5 mcg) provoked higher levels.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]