Effect of local heat in vivo on hyaluronidase, succinic dehydrogenase and phosphatases of the rat testis.

Abstract

Temporary suppression of spermatogenesis was obtained in rats through local application of heat in the form of warm water (44 C, 20 min). There was clear evidence of histologic damage to the seminiferous epithelium 24 hours after this treatment, but no evidence of changes in the content or the distribution of hyaluronidase, succinic dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase or alkaline phosphatase. The hyaluronidase concentration had fallen to a small fraction of the original value 21 and 30 days later, and a marked change in the distribution of succinic dehydrogenase and of acid phosphatase had taken place, as the chief locus of their activity had been transferred from the tubules to the interstitium. A definite return of the hyaluronidase activity toward normal levels was observed 69 days after the heat treatment, and succinic dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase also showed signs of approaching a more normal distribution. Alkaline phosphatase activity was largely unaffected by the heat treatment.