Relative Testis Research Articles

Evaluation of the reproductive toxicity of gallium nitrate in mice

Reproduction studies were performed with gallium nitrate, an antihypercalcaemic drug that is also used as a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of certain malignancies. Male mice were injected subcutaneously with gallium nitrate at doses of 0 (controls), 24, 48 and 96 mg/kg/day every other day for 14 days before mating with untreated females. Fertility and reproductive performance in the gallium nitrate-treated groups did not differ significantly from controls. No significant changes were observed in the relative testes and epididymis weights. Sperm counts in the gallium nitrate-dosed groups were comparable with those in the control group, whereas the percentage of motile cells was similar between treated and untreated animals. Histopathological examination of the testes and epididymis did not reveal any changes at any dose of gallium nitrate. The no-observed-adverse effect level was 96 mg/kg body weight. This dose is about 30 times higher than the current doses of gallium nitrate administered to humans.

Histology of Testicular Biopsies taken at Operation for Bilateral Maldescended Testes in Relation to Fertility in Adulthood

A total of 91 boys underwent bilateral orchiopexy with testicular biopsy. The percentage of tubular transverse sections containing spermatogonia, the fertility index (FI) and the number of spermatogonia per tubular transverse section (S/T) were measured and expressed as a percentage of the minimum normal value (FI% and S/T%, respectively). The maximum and mean of the 2 FI% and S/T% values were noted for each patient. At follow-up, testicular volume was measured in 73 men; 71 of these gave a blood sample for FSH and 67 provided specimens of semen for analysis. The maximum and the mean FI% and S/T% values of the patients were positively correlated to maximal sperm density and to volume of pair of testes and negatively correlated to serum FSH. It seems reasonable to use these histological parameters as prognostic indices of fertility potential. In adulthood only 11 patients had sperm density greater than or equal to 20 million/ml, 37 had normal serum FSH and 29 had bilateral testicular volume greater than or equal to 15 ml. Patients with both testes originally placed in the superficial inguinal pouch at surgical exploration had a higher maximal sperm density than the rest of the study group.

Torsion of the testis

Medical Journal of AustraliaVolume 152, Issue 9 p. 501-501 Letter to the Editor Torsion of the testis J.E. Wright FRACS, J.E. Wright FRACS 116 Everton Street, Hamilton, NSW, 2303Search for more papers by this author J.E. Wright FRACS, J.E. Wright FRACS 116 Everton Street, Hamilton, NSW, 2303Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 May 1990 https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1990.tb125331.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume152, Issue9May 1990Pages 501-501 RelatedInformation

Size and Function of Mammalian Testes in Relation to Body Size

We have assessed the allometric relationship between mass of testes and body mass using data from 133 mammalian species. The logarithmically transformed data were fitted by a regression ( r 2 = 0.86) that is described by the power function: Y = 0.035X0.72, where Y is mass of both testes in grams and X is body mass in grams. The slopes and intercepts of the allometric relationship for rodents alone (62 species) and primates alone (28 species) do not differ significantly from the relationship for the 133 species all taken together. Smaller mammals must allocate a greater proportion of body mass and of energy expenditure to testicular tissue than larger mammals; according to our allometric equation the testes of a 10 g mammal should comprise 1.8 percent of body mass, whereas testes of a 10,000 kg mammal amount to only 0.04 percent. Among the smallest mammals, the range of relative testes size is great; the testes of some rodents are as large as 8 percent of body mass, whereas others are as small as 0.15 percent. The energy cost for growth, maintenance, and production by mammalian testes is proportional to mass of testes and is, therefore, in most cases negligible. Among mammals in general we found no correlation between size of the testes and their location (abdominal or scrotal) in the body, or between size of testes and body form and mode of locomotion (terrestrial, aquatic, aerial). A functional relationship exists in many mammals between relative size of testes and mating system. Testes are relatively small in single-male breeding systems (monogamy or cases of extreme polygyny in which a single male does all the breeding). Testes are relatively large in multi-male breeding systems (promiscuous or polygynous systems where several different males mate with each female at the same estrus). In these cases, the evolution of large testes can be attributed to high copulatory frequency and sperm production and the competition among sperm of different males for fertilization of the same female. Size of testes has undoubtedly evolved in each species in response to a variety of additional factors beyond the first-order influence of body size. Tests of further hypotheses (for example, degree of seasonality of mating) that may explain the additional variability in size of testes should be performed. This should involve multivariate analyses of large data sets or simpler analyses that use data sets restricted to animals of similar body size, lower-level taxon, mating system, etc.

A Comparison of Capture-Recapture with Capture-Removal for Quail Populations

The effects of paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium dichloride) on reproduction and growth of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) were studied. In the parent generation (P) paraquat was administered at 0, 20, 60, and 180 ppm for 6 weeks. Reproductive variables examined included egg production, fertility, hatchability, chick abnormalities, and chick survival and weights to 7 days of age. Untreated breeders in the second generation (F1) phase were the offspring of the various groups in the first generation phase. Reproductive variables examined included egg production, number of days to first and last egg of a 20-egg clutch, fertility, and hatchability. P hens fed 180 ppm laid fewer eggs (all differences are at P < 0.05) during treatment compared to their pre-treatment period and to controls, and had lower ovary and oviduct weights. There were no differences in P fertility nor in chick abnormalities or survival as compared to controls. Chicks from P parents fed 20 ppm paraquat were heavier than all other treatments. P male and female post-treatment weight did not differ from pre-treatment weight. F, hens from paraquat-treated parents started laying 1 week later than controls and produced eggs at a lower rate resulting in clutch completion 10 days later than controls. There were no differences in F, fertility, hatch, or relative testes, ovary, and oviduct weights. Adult F, hens from parents fed 60 and 180 ppm paraquat weighed less. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 49(4):1066-1073 Paraquat is used extensively throughout the world for the control of weeds in orchards and crop fields and as a crop desiccant. Increased use of paraquat has resulted from an increase in no-tillage agriculture. Paraquat is available in the United States primarily as paraquat dichloride, a 29.1% liquid concentrate containing 0.9 kg paraquat cation/3.8 liter. The recommended field application rate usually ranges from 0.28 to 1.12 kg paraquat cation/ha (Ortho Tech. Inf., Chevron Chem. Co., Richmond, Calif., 1974). Residues of about 30 ppm in alfalfa and 60 ppm in adventitious graminaceae have been found after paraquat treatment at a r commended field level (De Lavaur et al. 1973). Paraquat residues have been reported to be as high as 1,000 ppm in herbage on grazing plots treated with the highest recommended application level (Calderbank et al. 1968). Some wildlife species may be affected by recommended field application rates of paraquat (Ernest 1971, De Lavaur et al. 1973, Dial and Bauer 1984). De Lavaur et al. (1973) found that 50% of hares (Lepus europaeus) exposed to alThis content downloaded from 157.55.39.83 on Sun, 09 Oct 2016 05:00:36 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms

Metabolism of androstenedione by Sertoli cell enriched preparations and purified leydig cells from boar testes in relation to estrogen formation

The metabolism of [ 3H]androstenedione in relation to estrogen formation was studied in incubations of Sertoli cell-enriched preparations (30–40% Sertoli cells) and purified Leydig cells (> 98%) from testes of mature male pigs. Radioactive metabolites were partitioned by countercurrent distribution (CCD) into unconjugated and ‘conjugated’ (water-soluble) fractions. Both unconjugated and solvolysed metabolites were separated into neutral and phenolic fractions by CCD with toluene and NaOH. The distribution of radioactivity was examined subsequently for each fraction by partition chromatography on celite columns. Major differences were noted in the products of metabolism from the two cell types. More than half of the radioactivity appeared in the conjugate fraction for Leydig cell incubations, but little or no conjugation occurred in Sertoli cell preparations. Metabolism of androstenedione to other neutral substances was extensive only for Leydig cells, with approx 2% remaining unchanged. No clear evidence of estrogen formation was observed with Sertoli cells; however, both unconjugated and conjugated phenolic fractions for Leydig cell products showed radioactivity corresponding to estrone and estradiol-17β on chromatography. About 2–5% of androstenedione was converted to these two estrogens, whereas most of the phenolic material was present as compounds more polar than estradiol.

Follicle-stimulating hormone. IV. Study of the histology of pubertal cryptorchid and scrotal testes in relation to the secretion of gonadotropins

The morphologic characteristics of 85 cryptorchid and 63 contralateral (scrotal) testes showing histologic changes of puberty were studied. Spermatogenesis was not only delayed on the cryptorchid side but also hypocellular in all cases. The scrotal testes appeared hypocellular in 82.5% of the cases. Repetitive biopsies, performed in 12 patients, showed no improvement of cellularity after orchidopexy but progress in pubertal maturation. In the 22 boys submitted to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) stimulation, luteinizing hormone (LH) baseline values did not change significantly whereas follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) baseline levels increased with advancing age and histologic stage of maturation. LH responses increased with the stage of maturation (without statistical significance); however, LH responses were significantly higher in the group without germ cells. FSH responses to LH-RH stimulation were consistently and significantly higher with advancing stages of maturation and in the group without cells.

The effect of the neurolathyrogenic substance beta,beta'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) on some biological parameters in rats and mice.

1. In the various possible combinations between (β,β′-Iminodipropionitrile) IDPN pretreated rats with non-treated ones, or, respectively with pre-treated sex partners, we observed reproduction only if non-treated males were put together with IDPN-treated females. Most of the newborns, however, starved to death. 2. IDPN uniformly induces in rats and mice a distinct reduction of food and water uptake, as well as in defecation and urine excretion (up to 50% of the normal values). Only about 4 weeks after application of IDPN are normal values reached again. 3. Body-length and body-weight of growing IDPN-treated rats and mice are reduced during life compared to controls. 4. IDPN does not influence the relation of organ weights/body weight of the brain, heart, liver, and spleen. The relative lung weight increases after IDPN-treatment as well as the relative kidney and testis weights. The latter, however, increase only temporarily. 5. After application of IDPN, a relation between the animals' age and weight loss can be observed. The weight loss of the animals increases with increasing age. 6. High doses of IDPN applied during 4 consecutive days induce in rats, older than 35 days, serious eye damages (bleeding, cataract, buphthalmos, perforation), which finally lead to the loss of their eyes. These side-effects can be prevented by injection-free intervals (between the various IDPN-applications) or by a reduction of the daily individual dose and injection over a longer period of time. 7. IDPN has no negative influence on the survival time of rats and mice despite the induction of irreversible motor disturbances in these animals. 8. The present results suggest the usefulness of the IDPN-effect as a phenotypical model for Huntington's disease in man.

Biochemical and cytogenetic effects in rats caused by short‐term ingestion of aroclor 1254 or firemaster BP6

Male rats were fed either 0, 5, 50, or 500 ppm Aroclor 1254 (ARO) or Firemaster BP6 (FM) mixed in ground rat chow for 2, 3, or 5 wk. The relative biological response to the two chemicals sometimes varied with dose level. For example, for some parameters FM caused a greater effect than ARO at the 5 and 50 ppm levels, but not at the 500 ppm level, where, presumably, the maximum response was attained. The experimental design did not permit a totally unambiguous comparison of all the responses to ARO and FM. Some apparent differences in biochemical responses determined at sacrifice may have been partly due to the fact that, for the 3 wk study, rats were exposed to FM 48 hr longer than to ARO, and thus the comparison of ARO and FM toxiclties should be considered tentative. The following evaluations were made, based on the assumption that this 2 day difference had no effect. Relative kidney and testis weights, hematology, SGPT, SGOT, BUN, plasma corticosterone, rate of liver protein synthesis per gram of tissue...

177. Effects of diethylstilbestrol upon the morphology and function of mouse testes in relation to Ley dig cell tumorigenesis

177. Effects of diethylstilbestrol upon the morphology and function of mouse testes in relation to Ley dig cell tumorigenesis

A histochemical study on the various conditions of human testes

Functional states of the human testes in various conditions were analysed by histochemical methods. The main purpose of this investigation was to know whether there was any peculiar pattern of enzymatic distribution in the testicular tissues in relation with pathological states. Biopsy specimens were taken from the testes of 47 patients with various testicular disorders such as retentio testis (23 cases), male sterility (15 cases), hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (4 cases), Klinefelter's syndrome (3 cases), and idiopathic varicocele (2 cases). The tested enzymes were: lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), DPN diaphorase (DPN-D), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP). A modified Nachlas's method was employed for the first two enxymes and a Burstone's method for the last two. The findings were compared with those of the normal human testes.The results obtained were as follows:(1) In the normal human testes, the activities of LDH and DPN-D were prominent both in the peripherally situated cells of the seminiferous tubuli as well as in the interstitial cells. ALP was mainly distributed in the peripherally situated cells of the seminiferous tubuli and in the vessel walls of the interstitium, while no activity was found in the interstitial cells. Activity of ACP was also marked in the peripheral tubular cells and in the interstitial cells.(2) Of 23 cases with retentio testes, 16 were prepuberal and 7 were puberal or postpuberal. In the prepuberal cases, no enzymatic activities were found in the interstitial cells. In 15 unilateral cases, the findings in the retained testes were compared with those in the scrotal testes. Activities of LDH, DPN-D and ACP showed similar distributions both in the retained testes and in the scrotal testes. Though there was no activity in the tubular cells of the retained testes, in 8 out of 15 cases ALP activity was observed in the tubular cells of the scrotal testes. The findings suggested a certain kind of metabolic disurbance in the retained testes even from the early prepuberal stage.In the puberal or postpuberal cases, highly degenerative changes were observed in the seminiferous tubuli of the retained testes and hypospermatogenic findings in the scrotal testes. ALP activity was detected in the tubuli of the scrotal testes, but no activity was found in the retained testes, LDH, DPN-D and ACP activities showed similar distributions both in the retained testes and in the scrotal testes. Enzymatic distributions of the interstitium showed no difference between in the retained testes and in the scrotal testes. This finding suggested that the state of “retention” had no recognizable effect on the function of interstitial cells.(3) Of cases with male sterility, those with hypospermatogenesis or spermatogenic arrest presented a normal pattern of enzymatic distribution, whereas cases with germinal cell aplasia or peritubular fibrosis presented a lack in ALP activity in the seminiferous tubule.(4) In cases of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism there was no enzymatic activity in the interstitial cells, but the seminiferous tubuli which mainly consisted of undifferentiated cells showed a fairly recognizable distribution of the enzymes.(5) In cases of Klinefelter's syndrome, the interstitial cells had well recognizable enzymatic activities, including the activity of nonspecific esterase. However, in one case, where islet-like grouping of the interstitial cells were prominent, ALP distribution also showed a patchy pattern, suggesting a functional disturbance of the interstitial cells.(6) The testicles of patients with left varicocele showed spermatogenic disturbances of the same grade on both sides. But, there was no peculiar changes in enzymatic distribution.These results indicated that, of four enzymatic activities investigated, alkaline phosphatase had a peculiar significance in the human testes in relation to functional disturbances.

Effects of Prepubertal Physical Training on Growth, Voluntary Exercise, Cholesterol and Basal Metabolism in Rats

Abstract Rats (N=180) were used as subjects in this investigation of the effects of prepubertal physical training on tibial growth, organ and body weights, serum cholesterol levels, basal metabolism, and voluntary exercise habits at puberty and 160 days postpuberty. The animals were assigned to one of three initial treatment groups: sedentary, voluntary exercise, or voluntary plus forced exercise. The sedentary animals were allowed no exercise, the voluntary-plus forced rats were allowed to run at will but also were forced to swim with weights on their tails for 30 minutes daily for 35 days just prior to puberty. At puberty 20 animals from each group were sacrificed. The remaining rats were allowed to exercise voluntarily for the next 160 days. After 160 days a second sacrifice of 10 animals from each group occurred. The trained rats at puberty had lower body weights, greater relative adrenal and testis weights, lower kidney weights, shorter tibias, lower serum cholesterol values, and lower levels of volu...

THE TESTIS OF GORILLA GORILLA BERINGEI

A study was made of the gross anatomy and histological appearances of the testes in a free adult and adolescent Qorilla gorilla beringei. Macroscopically the testes were found to resemble the human testis. Microscopy revealed the presence of a large proportion of interstitial cells of Leydig in both adult and adolescent testes. In both testes spermatogenesis was active. The weight of the testes relative to the total body weight is found to be smaller than in other anthropoids. The histology is compared with that of captive animals. Spermatogenesis in the wild gorilla is compared with the so‐called sexual immaturity of captive gorillas, and to the age of dental and skeletal maturation.SummaryA macroscopic and microscopic description of the testes of free adult and adolescent specimens of Gorilla gorilla beringei is presented.The size of the testes in relation to the total body weight is the smallest among the anthropoid apes.The large proportion of testicular interstitial tissue found in captive animals is present in the two free gorillas, and is therefore a normal finding.The onset of spermatogenesis precedes dental and skeletal maturation in the free Gorilla gorilla beringei.

Studies on the hydatid worm, Echinococcus granulosus. I. Species identification of the parasite found in Mississippi.

Summary Host-parasite relationships and morphologic characters of the larval and adult stages have been used to identify the hydatid worm which is the cause of hydatid disease in both swine and man in Mississippi. Attempts were made to infect the dog, fox, opossum, raccoon, and domestic cat with the adult stage of the hydatid worm present in Mississippi and to infect swine and rodents with the larval stage. Dogs were infected experimentally by being fed the larval stage found in the liver of naturally infected swine. The adult worms of known ages were recovered and studied in detail. Host-parasite studies have shown that the hydatid worm present in Mississippi will readily infect dogs in the adult stage, but will not mature in the fox, opossum, raccoon, or domestic cat. It has also been shown that this worm in the larval stage will readily infect swine, thereby producing a unilocular hydatid cyst, but will not readily infect rodents. These results indicate the species of hydatid worm studied is Echinococcus granulosus. On the basis of the number of proglottids in the gravid worm, the number of testes in the mature proglottid, the distribution of the testes in relation to the genital pore, and the position of the genital pore in the mature and gravid proglottids, the species of hydatid worm in this study was identified as E. granulosus. The length of the strobila and the size of the hooks are of limited value in the determination of the species of Echinococcus.

The Normal Development of the Testes in the White Plymouth Rock

THE normal growth and development of the various component parts of the testes and the rate of maturation of spermatozoa of fowls has received relatively little study. A few reports concerning the growth of the testes in relation to body weight have been made. Latimer (1924) plotted the growth in weight of the testes against gross body weight of a group of White Leghorns. He noted a period of slow growth in testes up to 400 gm. body weight (or about 50 days), an increase in growth from 400 to 800 gm. (50–80), and a terminal plateau of about 20 gm. following sexual maturity at about 1800 to 2000 gm. body weight.Buckner, Insko, and Martin (1933) reported that a group of White Leghorn cockerels, 14 weeks of age with an average body weight of 1152 gm. had testes weighing 2.8 gm. Hoskins and Koch (1939) stated that 5 .