The effects of an LHRH agonist on testicular function in the cryptorchid rat.
To assess the effects of an LHRH analog (LHRH-ethylamide des gly10 D-Leu6) on the function of the cryptorchid testis, an animal model was created, using prepubertal male Sprague-Dawley rats (21 days old). The animals were divided into six groups: 1) sham operated; 2) sham + LHRH treated; 3) cryptorchid; 4) cryptorchid + LHRH treated; 5) cryptorchid and orchidopexed; 6) cryptorchid, LHRH treated and orchidopexed. Two weeks post cryptorchidism, the animals were treated with either saline or LHRH-analog (one microgram./rat/day) subcutaneously for a total of twenty five days. Orchidopexy was performed following hormonal treatment. The effects of treatment were assessed in terms of body and reproductive organ weights, serum testosterone and LH levels, sperm counts and motility and fertility. The results demonstrated that experimental cryptorchidism impaired reproductive function, which was restored by orchidopexy, alone. Treatment of cryptorchid rats (groups 4 and 6) with LHRH did not produce any lasting improvement in spermatogenesis or fertility.
Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655.
D A
DA
Diamond
C
C
Flores
S
S
Kumar
R
R
Malhotra
L
L
Seethalakshmi
D000818:Animals; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000187:drug effects; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide