Endocrine effects of early non-union of testis and epididymis and of cryptorchidism in the rat.
The aim of this study was to explore possible endocrine effects of early non-union of testis and epididymis. In 16 days old Sprague-Dawley rats the testis and epididymis were separated to the level of the inferior epididymis artery (non-union operation). Animals were killed at intervals from 30-58 days, and the plasma concentrations of total testosterone, total estrogens, LH, FSH and PRL were measured. The testes were studied by light microscopy. Groups of rats made cryptorchid and sham-operated rats were used as controls. Although their testes were scrotal, the non-union operated animals had testosterone and estrogen concentrations similar of cryptorchid animals, and significantly (p less than 0.05) lower than sham-operated animals. The LH- and FSH-concentrations were significantly (p less than 0.05) elevated suggesting a primary lesion in both Leydig- and Sertoli-cells. Towards puberty FSH increased in the non-union operated animals, while FSH values declined in the cryptorchid and sham-operated animals. These FSH-patterns probably reflect the existence of different pathogenic mechanisms in the non-union operated rats and the rats with cryptorchid testes.
Johnansen
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Department of Surgery, Akershus Central Hospital, Nordbyhagen, Norway.
Haug
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Clausen
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D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000209:etiology*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000502:physiology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D004967:Estrogens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone