The Effects of Selective Withdrawal of FSH or LH on Spermatogenesis in the Immature Rat

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Abstract
Neutralizing antisera to rat follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and sheep luteinizing hormone (LH) have been prepared and made monospecific by suitable absorption. The antiserum to rat FSH is devoid of contaminating antibodies to LH, binds only to I1 2 5 FSH, and neutralizes the biological activity of rat FSH in the HCG augmentation assay. The anti-sheep LH serum cross-reacts with rat LH and causes abortion when injected into 8-day pregnant rats. Administration of anti-LH serum to 20 day male rats, over a 14 day period, resulted in an 80% reduction in testes weight, accompanied by a marked reduction in the weights of the epididymides, ventral prostate and seminal vesicles. The size of the Leydig cells, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules, and the number of germ cells were all reduced. In this anti-LH group serum testosterone levels were 113 ± 6 pg/ml compared to control values of 616 ± 138 pg/ml. Treatment with anti-FSH serum decreased the weight of the testes by 50% without any reduction in the weights of the accessory organs or in the levels of serum testosterone (532 ± 75 pg/ml). The Leydig cells appeared normal; however, the tubule diameter and the number of spermatids and spermatocytes were also reduced when compared to the controls. Thus, it appears that selective withdrawal of FSH interferes with spermatogenesis in the immature rat, without alterations in the serum testosterone levels.

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