Studies on seminiferous tubule fluid production in the adult rat: effect of hypophysectomy and treatment with FSH, LH and testosterone

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Abstract
Seminiferous tubule fluid production in adult rats was studied using the technique of unilateral efferent duct ligation (EDL), the production rate representing the difference in testis weight over the time since ligation. Following EDL, fluid production increases linearly for 6 h and linearly at a slightly slower rate for a further 18 h with a sharp decrease thereafter. No differences in fluid production were noted for rats aged between 90-310 days. After hypophysectomy (48 h) there was a significant fall (26%) in fluid production prior to any significant decrease in testis weight. Fluid production continued to decline with time after hypophysectomy, eventually reaching a plateau 16-44 days later at levels .apprx. 15% of those found in control rats. Treatment of rats hypophysectomized 4 days earlier with ovine FSH for 3 days did not restore fluid production, but treatment with ovine LH [lutropin], testosterone propionate (TP) or FSH together with TP for a similar duration all restored fluid production to normal. On the other hand, treatment of intact adult rats with ovine LH significantly increased fluid production, but the effect of treatment with testosterone alone did not reach significance. In the adult rat, seminiferous tubule fluid production apparently is controlled principally by testosterone secreted by the Leydig cell in response to LH stimulation.