title: Effects of mesencephalic lesion on the histomorphology of testis and spermatogenesis.
abstract: Mesencephalic reticular formation lesions were produced bilaterally by using two epoxy-coated stainless steel electrodes. Electrolytic lesions resulted in atrophy of testes, and decreased spermatogenesis. Seminiferous tubules of lesioned rats were characterised by a general decrease in the number of cells from different generation of germinal epithelium, empty spaces, degeneration of spermatogonia, degeneration of spermatocytes I and of young spermatids. There were significant reductions in weights of the testes (P less than 0.01). Similarly the areas of cross-sections of seminiferous tubules were significantly reduced (P less than 0.05). Another note-worthy feature was a gross reduction in the complete cross section count of interstitial cells. The study strongly suggests that the mesencephalic reticular formation influences the testes and spermatogenesis.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012154:Reticular Formation / Q000502:physiology*; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000166:cytology; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*