Effect on gonadotrophin secretion of blockage of the ductuli efferentes in the normal and androgen-deprived rat

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Abstract
Serum lutropin [LH] and follitropin [FSH] concentrations were measured in adult male rats. Ductuli efferentes blockage by surgical ligation or treatment with the antifertility drug .alpha.-chlorohydrin did not produce any changes in serum LH or androgen-dependent organ weights. Serum FSH in both groups was significantly raised by 4 days after treatment and remained so throughout most of the experimental period (42 days), but did not attain the values obtained in castrates. The gonadotropin changes were accompanied by an initial increase in the weight and turgidity of the testes which then became flaccid and atrophied. These changes were similar, but not identical, after both treatments. Androgen secretion was impaired in adult rats treated with ethylene dimethane sulfonate; serum LH values were similar to 14-day castrates and serum FSH was also elevated but not to the level found in the castrates. Ductuli efferents ligation did not produce any further changes in concentrations of either hormone despite the retention of the testicular products within the testes as reflected by weight increase. Changes in serum FSH after ductuli efferentes blockage are evidently related to disturbances in inhibin production from the seminiferous epithelium rather than inhibin retention within the testicular tubules.

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