In vitro response of mouse testis to human chorionic gonadotropin.

Abstract

SummaryTestes from mice, 3 days of age, were cultured in an in vitro system for 7 or 14 days on a medium composed of agar, Tyrode's solution, synthetic medium 199 and chick embryo extract. Degenerative changes in control explants included a decrease in size of tubules and a reduction in cytoplasm of interstitial cells. Inclusion of HCG in the medium ameliorated these changes. Moreover, measurable amounts of androgen were produced by testes cultured on media enriched with HCG whereas no detectable amount was produced by those cultured on media enriched with lactogenic hormone.