Effects of androgen deprivation on the histology of adult chimpanzee testis

Abstract

Until primate sperm are exposed to the unique microenvironment of the epididymis, they are not capable of fertilization or vigorous motility. Many of the proteins that contribute to the unique microenvironment of the primate epididymis, and thus to sperm maturation, are dependent on androgens to induce their synthesis and secretion. GnRH antagonists have proved effective in suppressing LH and testosterone synthesis and secretion, and thus in maintaining a state of androgen deprivation or functional hypogonadotropism. We report here the effects of GnRH antagonist-induced androgen-deprivation on the histology of the testicular interstitium and seminiferous epithelium of the adult male chimpanzee. After only 21 days of androgen-deprivation, chimpanzee testicular tissues exhibit specific atrophic changes, including the loss of contact between developing spermatocytes and between Sertoli cells and their developing spermatids, alterations in cell development resulting in missing maturation steps (elongating Sc and structurally complete Sd2 spermatids) and inappropriate cell associations, varying degrees of cytoplasmic degradation in germ cells, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells, and a tubular lumen obscured by masses of sloughed primary and secondary spermatocytes and what appear histologically to be Sb1 and Sd1 spermatids.