Testicular effects of the Leydig cell toxicant ethane dimethanesulphonate given to neonatal rats.
Neonatal rats were injected with either 50 mg/kg ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS) or vehicle on days 1 to 5 inclusive or on day 1 alone. Studies were made on days 6, 28, and 63 of testicular structure; related endocrinologic parameters were measured in the day 1 to 5 treated animals only. Leydig cells and their activities were identified by cell counts using sections stained for 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, hCG binding to LH receptors in testicular homogenates, and assays of intratesticular testosterone, plus pituitary and/or serum concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Given on days 1 to 5, EDS reduced Leydig cell populations estimated by morphometry and 125I-HCG binding, and testicular and body weights between days 6 and 63, and permanently retarded the development of the seminiferous epithelium. Decreases of serum and intratesticular testosterone occurred with homeostatic rises in FSH and LH. Injection on day 1 reduced Leydig cell numbers only on day 6 although body weight remained retarded. The data illustrate the susceptibility of the developing rat testis to the cytotoxicant EDS; whether this is related to withdrawal of androgen production or nonspecific cytotoxicity remains to be evaluated.
Thomson
S D
SD
Department of Cell and Structural Biology, University of Manchester, U.K.
Lendon
R G
RG
Morris
I D
ID
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008698:Mesylates / Q000633:toxicity*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D008698:Mesylates; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C002994:ethylene dimethanesulfonate