Regeneration of the testicular interstitial compartment after ethane dimethane sulfonate treatment in the hypophysectomized frog Rana esculenta: independence of pituitary control.
The effects of ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS) on the testes of hypophysectomized frogs (Rana esculenta) were investigated by light and electron microscopy. Initial signs of interstitial cell damage were observed in EDS- and EDS plus pituitary homogenate (PH)-treated animals 5 days after a single injection of EDS (100 mg/Kg body weight). The germinal compartment in these two groups appeared disorganized adjacent to the damaged interstitial tissue only in the EDS-treated animals, and by Day 8, spermatogenesis seemed to be affected in the EDS + PH-treated frogs in which Leydig cells had disappeared in some areas. On Day 28, regeneration of the interstitial tissue was complete and spermatogenesis was restored to normal. These data suggest that, in hypophysectomized frogs, the regeneration of the interstitial compartment is independent of pituitary activity and that the lack of interstitial cells activates the production of local factors responsible for the differentiation and proliferation of new Leydig cells. It is concluded that in addition to gonadotropins, the intratesticular environment is fundamental in the maintenance and regulation of testicular structure and function.
Minucci
S
S
Dipartimento di Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate F. Bottazzi, Naples, Italy.
Di Matteo
L
L
Fasano
S
S
Chieffi Baccari
G
G
Pierantoni
R
R
D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000502:physiology; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008698:Mesylates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011893:Rana esculenta / Q000502:physiology*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*
D000728:Androgens; D006062:Gonadotropins; D008698:Mesylates; C002994:ethylene dimethanesulfonate; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide