Dose and time related responses of the irradiated prepubertal rat testis. II. Seminiferous epithelial function.
Dose-related effects of radiation upon the seminiferous epithelium were examined in the prepubertal rat. Marked damage to the spermatogenic cell populations was produced by doses of 5 Gy and above. As a result serum levels of FSH were increased, maximum changes being observed at 2 weeks, but levels remaining high even at 36 weeks after irradiation. Serum levels of androgen binding protein (ABP) were inversely related to serum FSH. Above a threshold dose of 5 Gy, serum ABP levels were reduced to between 30-50% of control values, possibly indicating damage to the Sertoli cells. Progression in the degree of testicular failure was indicated at 36 weeks after a dose of 15 Gy by further increases in serum gonadotrophins when compared to earlier times and by the absence of spermatogenesis.
D000367:Age Factors; D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004822:Epididymis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000528:radiation effects; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014965:X-Rays
D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone