Effect of FSH and Testosterone Propionate on Spermatogenesis in Immature Rats Treated with Clomiphene

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effects of testosterone propionate (TP) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on the completion of the first wave of spermatogenesis in rats treated with clomiphene are reported. Clomiphene in doses of 250 [mu]g/day beginning on day 22 inhibits spermatogenesis at the primary spermatocyte stage. Treatment of clomiphene-fed rats with small doses of TP (200 [mu]g/day) advanced spermatogenesis to the early spermatid stage (step 7), while follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH, 75 [mu]g/day) had no appreciable effect on the completion of spermiogenesis. However, a combined treatment of the 2 hormones synergized at these dose levels to advance spermatogenesis to completion within 30 days of the initiation of treatment. The dose of TP (200 [mu]g/day alone) which inhibits pituitary gonadotropins in immature rats is ineffective in advancing spermatogenesis, while in clomiphene-fed rats a high dose of TP (0.5 or 1 mg/day) by itself facilitates the progress of spermatogenesis to completion. Testicular weights were restored to normal levels only by treatment of clomiphene-fed rats with a synergistic dose of 75 [mu]g/day of FSH and 1 mg/day of TP. These results are discussed in relation to the role of gonado-tropic hormones and androgen in the initiation and maintenance of testicular function.