Abstract
A study is presented evaluating the effect of selective germ cell depletion on regulation of plasma FSH concentrations in chronic vitamin A-deficient (VAD) male rats. Plasma FSH, LH and testosterone levels were measured to assess pituitary-testicular interaction and the specific activities of certain testicular enzymes were determined to evaluate seminiferous tubular function during genii cell reduction. By 130 days, the testicular effects of vitamin A deficiency were maximal and resulted in loss of all germinal elements beyond spermatogonia. However, Sertoli cells andLeydig cells appeared normal. Notably in the presence of an intact pituitary-testicular axis, as judged by a normal response to castration, plasma FSH levels in VAD rats were indistinguishable from age matched controls. Although plasma testosterone levels in VAD rats were significantly lower than normals, this was associated with a reduction in plasma LH as well. The physiologic significance of decreased androgen levels is not clear. At appr...
Published Version
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