Action of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and 5alpha androstane 3alpha, 17beta diol on the spermatogenesis of immature rats.

Abstract

The action of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5cs-androstane 3a, 1 7� diol (Diol) on the seminiferous epithelium of immature estrogen-treated rats was studied. Quantitative histological evaluation was performed and testicular proteins and androgens contents were determined. Estradiol benzoate (E2B) treatment resulted in a severe testicular atrophy with a reduction of 50 percent in the testicular weight and protein content. In the estrogen treated rats the levels of androgens in the testicular tissue were undetectable. Histologically, the germinal epithelium showed a marked decrease of cell types, particularly the meiotic spermatocytes and young spermatids. In E2Bi-T, E2B+DHT and E2B+Diol-treated animals testicular weight decreased only 10 to 20 percent, with a normal concentration of testicular proteins. In E2B+T-treated animals the three androgens were found in the testis, and in both E2B+DHT and E2B+Diol-treated rats, high levels of these androgens were found, but testosterone was not detectable. In every case the levels of Diol were higher than those of DHT. A diminution of spermatogonia, similar to that found in E2 B-treated animals was noted in all androgen-treated rats. Meiotic spermatocytes showed, however, a significant increase in relation to E2B-treated rats, even though a decrease was observed when compared with the normal controls. Spermatid diminution was only partially prevented in E2B#{247}DHTand E2B+Diol-treated groups, but not in E2B+T treated rats. It is concluded that T, DHT and Diol, exert a meiotic stimulatory effect. In the case of DHT and Diol-treated animals, absence of testicular testosterone indicates that both Sn reduced metabolites are biologically active in the prevention of testicular atrophy induced by E2B at the time of initiation of spermatogenesis.