title: Seasonal changes in testicular structure and function in the blue fox (Alopex lagopus), as quantified by morphometric analysis and measurement of adenylate cyclase activity.
abstract: The volume of the blue fox testis showed 5-fold changes during the year, associated with considerable changes in cellular composition. The seminiferous epithelium was maximally regressed in August, when 94% of tubules contained only spermatogonia. By late October, approximately 6 months before the mating season, 40% of tubules contained primary spermatocytes. From the middle of January until the end of April all tubules contained spermatids or more advanced haploid cells. Tubular diameter increased by 73% during testicular re-development, and epithelial height increased 3-fold. Regression to the basal state occurred during May to July. The volume densities of the seminiferous epithelium and of interstitial tissue remained approximately constant throughout the year. Soluble Mn2+-dependent adenylate cyclase activity showed seasonal variations that paralleled those of the haploid germ cell population and testicular volume, whereas somatic cell adenylate cyclase activity was relatively constant.
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000201:enzymology; D005589:Foxes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011003:Ploidies; D012621:Seasons; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013079:Sperm Maturation; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases; D008274:Magnesium