Arrest Of Spermatogenesis Research Articles

Anaphylactic reaction caused by treatment with nitrofurantoin.

NITROFURANTOIN has been found to be useful in the treatment of genitourinary-tract infections caused by a variety of bacterial organisms, including those resistant to many other antimicrobial agents. Continuous prophylactic treatment with nitrofurantoin has even been recommended for patients with chronic infections of the urinary tract. 1 Occasional reports have been published about allergies and other toxic reactions to nitrofurantoin: transient alopecia, 1 bilirubinuria, 2 jaundice, drowsiness, dizziness, 2, 3 and slight to moderate arrest of spermatogenesis. More frequently reported untoward reactions include dermatological abnormalities, 1-4 hematological manifestations, 3,5,6 peripheral neuritis, 3,7 and nausea and vomiting. 2,4 Sensitivity to nitrofurantoin was described by Israel and Diamond 8 in a patient with recurrent pulmonary infiltration and pleural effusion. The most dramatic, as well as the most serious, toxic manifestation of treatment with nitrofurantoin is an anaphylactoid reaction. Fisk 9 reported a patient who suffered from headache, epigastric pain radiating to the

Inhibition and recovery of spermatogenesis in rats, monkeys, and dogs medicated with bis(dichloroacetyl)diamines

The antispermatogenic activity of three bis(dichloroacetyl)diamines, Win 13,099, Win 18,446, and Win 17,416, was studied in rats, monkeys and/or dogs. The drugs were administered orally and testicular tissue was obtained at various intervals by autopsy or biopsy. The data obtained from these experiments suggest the following conclusions: The three drugs, when given orally to adult male albino rats, monkeys, and dogs, resulted in arrest of spermatogenesis characterized by gradual depletion of the germinal cells of the testes. Full recovery occurred after withdrawal of medication even after antispermatogenic changes had had been in effect for long periods of time and the animals had become histologically azoospermic. The effect of these drugs upon the germinal epithelium was very specific; no other organs were affected. The histologic course of events observed resembled that seen with other agents except for this specificity. The formation of large multinucleated forms containing the nuclei of Golgi and cap-phase spermatids was a prominent characteristic of the inhibitory effects. The authors propose the term fusion bodies to describe these forms, and hope by this report to have resolved the confusion surrounding these forms. Although the antispermatogenic changes were basically similar in the rat, monkey, and dog there were marked differences in the minimal effective dose between the three compounds as well as with the same compound in different species of animals.

THE SELECTIVE TESTICULAR EFFECTS OF CERTAIN BIS-(DICHLOROACETYL) DIAMINES

N,N′-4-Xylylene-bis(N-ethyldichloroacetamide), Compound I,and N,N′-bis (dichloroacetyl)-l,8-octamethylenediamine, Compound II, produced in rats marked testicular weight regression associated with complete arrest of spermatogenesis. Compound II was approximately eight times more active, per mg., than Compound I. At maximal effects the seminiferous tubules consisted merely of a ring of Sertoli cells with spermatogonia interspersed. Leydig cell morphology and androgen production were not altered by antispermatogenic doses of either agent. The weight of the adrenal glands was lowered by high doses of both compounds although the adrenals appeared normal histologically. The plasma corticosterone level of chronically medicated rats was not different from that of control animals. Also, the rise in plasma corticosterone concentration observed two hours after ACTH administration was not altered by prior medication with Compound II. Concurrent injections of 10 r.u. per rat per day of commercial pituitary gonadotroph...

The biologic actions of a new series of bis(dichloroacetyl) diamines

Three members (Win 13,099, Win 17,416, Win 18,446) of a new series of bis(dichloroacetyl) diamines have been studied orally in rats, dogs, and/or monkeys. These data indicate the following points: 1. 1. These compounds proved to be relatively nontoxic substances which exert a specific effect upon the testes of the species studied. 2. 2. This biologic effect on the testes is characterized by arrest of spermatogenesis which is completely reversible within a few weeks after withdrawal of the drug. The Leydig, Sertoli, and spermatogonial cells appear to be normal even under the full influence of these drugs. 3. 3. The mechanism of the action of this phenomenon is not understood at present but should provide a fine tool in the study of the specific biochemical requirements for spermatogenesis.

Effect of reserpine on pituitary-gonadal axis.

SummaryReserpine at a dose level of 0.2 mg/kg delayed vaginal opening in infantile female rats, and postponed estrus in normally cycling female rats. In women, vaginal smears likewise indicated decreased estrogen production throughout treatment. Histological sections of the ovaries of adult rats treated with reserpine showed absence of mature follicles (control 5-8), and presence of corpora lutea, similar to those seen during lactation. Sections of uteri showed the same pattern as in lactating rats. Reserpine deIayed testicular descent in young infantile rats. In mature male rats, high doses resulted in regressive atrophy of testes, seminal vesicles and prostates. Testes of pigeons treated with reserpine weighed 20-50% of the weight of controls. Histological sections showed arrest of spermatogenesis at the state of spermatids or mitotic secondary spermatocytes. Only in rare cases were spermatozoa found in relatively small numbers. The gonadotropin level in menopausal wolmen who received reserpine treatmen...

Syndrome de Cushing Associé A un Carcinome Branchial (Thymique ?)

SummaryA man of 41 years old develops simultaneously signs of mediastinal irritation and endocrine disturbances. One year later, a typical Cushing’s syndrome is observed (adiposity, striae atrophicae, disturbances of sugar metabolism, testicular atrophy). At autopsy, the hypophysis does not contain any adenoma but displays typical alterations of the basophilic cells. There is a colloid goiter, bilateral hyperplasia of the adrenal’s cortex, arrest of spermatogenesis and centrolubar liver fat degeneration. In the upper region of the mediastinum, at the location of the thymus, is a small-celled carcinoma with pleural metastases. Its structure and vascularisation suggest that it may have endocrine activity. Five similar cases have so far been reported. The origin of the endocrine distrubances and their relations to the malignant growth are discussed.

A Study of the Histology of the Testis in Schizophrenia and other Mental Disorders

Histological examinations were made of biopsy specimens from the testes of 90 cases of schizophrenia and 25 cases of other mental disorders. Pathological changes of varying severity were observed in many specimens ; these changes have been classified in grades according to the intensity of the degenerative process. The non-schizophrenic specimens were within normal limits, due allowance being made for age and organic disease. A special form of atrophy involving chiefly the tubules and their contents was found in many cases of schizophrenia, but not in other mental disorders. This atrophy is characterized by changes in the basement membrane leading to its hyalinization, with arrest of spermatogenesis, progressive degeneration of epithelial elements, and eventual destruction of the tubule. The course and development of this atrophy have been described and analysed. It differs in essential features from atrophy due to systemic affections and to the familiar causes of testis degeneration. Interstitial hyperplasia is rare, and when present in schizophrenic subjects is due to some superimposed organic process. The work of Mott and others has been discussed in the light of this study. Although they reported pathological changes which they regarded as specific for schizophrenia (dementia praecox), the histology differed significantly from what is described in this paper. It is clear that as autopsy was the only source of their material, serious contaminating factors, such as advanced age and intercurrent infections, were introduced, and would inevitably tend to obscure the histological picture. The importance of a normal basement membrane for preservation of Sertoli cells and seminiferous epithelium has been demonstrated, and it has been shown that hyaline change in the basement membrane in atrophy of the testis is a cause and not a result of degeneration of the epithelium as other writers have suggested.