Testicular Function at Puberty Following Prepubertal Local X-Irradiation in the Rat
Open Access
- 1 August 1973
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Biology of Reproduction
- Vol. 9 (1) , 1-8
- https://doi.org/10.1093/biolreprod/9.1.1
Abstract
Rats whose testes were X-irradiated at 27–28 days of age were examined at 73–74 days of age. Spermatogenesis was severely retarded, and testis weight was one-sixth that of controls. Accessory sex organs were markedly lighter. Pregnenolone conversion by testis homogenates was reduced, and the activities of Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase + Δ5-Δ4 isomerase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the microsomal fraction were severely depressed. Treatment with HCG for 15 days restored accessory organ weights and the testicular enzyme activities related to androgen formation almost to the control level, but did not affect testis weight or spermatogenesis. Radiosensitivity of the testicular interstitial cells of prepubertal and mature rats were discussed.Keywords
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