[Effect of testosterone on spermatogenesis: dynamics of testosterone secretion in adult rat testis].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of testosterone on spermatogenesis.


METHODS
Testosterone concentrations were measured in testicular interstitial fluid (IF), and serum sample from the testicular artery, testicular veins on the surface of the testis, and the peripheral venous, inferior vena cave and proximal spermatic veins in adult SD rats. The left and bilateral veins at the proximal end of the spermatic cord were ligated respectively. Testosterone concentrations and weight of the testis were measured, and the changes of the testicular morphology were studied 3 days and 21 days after ligation respectively.


RESULTS
The testosterone concentrations were highest in IF. The serum testosterone concentrations were highest in the testicular veins on the surface of the testis. The serum testosterone concentrations in the proximal spermatic veins, the testicular artery, the peripheral venous and inferior vena cave were (42.503 +/- 12.749), (42.503 +/- 12.749), (5.598 +/- 3.649), (2.533 +/- 1.719) and (2.418 +/- 1.495) mg/L respectively. Three days after the proximal spermatic veins were ligated bilaterally, the weights of the testis and the serum testosterone concentrations declined markedly. The epithelium of the seminiferous tubules degenerated slightly and part of the structure was indistinct. Three days after the left proximal spermatic veins were ligated, the weights of the left testis, the testosterone concentrations in the left IF and in the serum of the left testicular artery declined distinctly except the serum testosterone concentration of the peripheral venous, inferior vena cave and those of the right testis. The epithelium of the seminiferous tubules in the left testis degenerated slightly and part of the structure was indistinct. It was restored 21 days after ligation.


CONCLUSIONS
A "small circulation" (testis-the testicular veins-the spermatic veins-the spermatic artery-the testicular artery-testis) may exist. The results indicate that after ligation of the proximal spermatic veins, the reduction of the testosterone concentrations and changes of testicular morphology is temporary and may be recovered.
Teng
X
X
Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003.
Min
Z
Z
Zhu
Y
Y
Qi
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D014680:Veins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
D013739:Testosterone