The effect of aminopterin-induced folic acid deficiency on spermatogenesis.
Folic acid deficiency was produced by injecting aminopterin into adult male albino rats, resulting in inhibition of spermatogenesis. Bone marrow smears were studied to serve as an index of folic acid deficiency; however, changes in spermatogenesis were noticed earlier than the bone marrow changes. Meiotic division was affected more than mitotic division. The nuclei of spermatogenic cells showed degenerative changes. Chromosomal abnormalities, chiefly sticky chromosomes, were noticed in squashed preparations of seminiferous tubules.
D000630:Aminopterin; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000503:physiopathology; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000503:physiopathology
D000630:Aminopterin