The Effects of X-Irradiation on Male Fertility in the Guinea Pig: Semen Production after X-Irradiation of the Testis, of the Body, or of the Head

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Abstract
Semen was collected by electroejaculation from guinea pigs before and after X-irradiation (300 r) of the whole body, of the testis (head and body shielded), or of the head and body (testes shielded). Each of the 3 irradiation treatments resulted in a marked depression of sperm output. Sperm output was markedly depressed (below 1 million cells per ejaculate) for 12 weeks after whole-body irradiation, for 6 to 7 weeks after testis irradiation (head and body shielded), and for only 1 week after head and body irradiation (testes shielded). Recovery to preirradiation levels took 21 weeks after testis irradiation (head and body shielded) and 47 weeks after head and body irradiation (testes shielded). Irradiation of the body (testes and head shielded) produced a depression in sperm output, but there was no additional depression produced by irradiation of the head and body (testes shielded). Thus, the abscopal effect of radiation on sperm production has not been shown to be due to direct radiation effects on the hypothalamic-hypophyseal structures.