THE FATE OF THE GERMINAL EPITHELIUM OF EXPERIMENTAL CRYPTORCHID TESTES OF GUINEA PIGS

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Abstract
Adult guinea-pig testes, after operative removal from the scrotum to the abdomen, undergo progressive degeneration and dissolution of the generative portion apparent within 6 days and practically complete within 20 days. Obliteration of the ductus deferens neither hastens nor hinders the process. Degenerating tissue is partially removed, through liquefaction, from the seminiferous tubules and part is carried into the epididymis, where the process continues more slowly. Spermatozoa in the epididymis of such cryptorchid testes retain their power of motih''ty for 9 days, but may retain their characteristic morphology for 100 days (in ductus deferens). Interruption of blood supply to the testis brings on degeneration differing from that in the experimental cryptorchid condition; changes in vascularity do not appear to be contributing factors to degeneration in the latter. The underlying cause is a higher temperature than normal for a testis in spermatogenetic activity.

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