Abnormalities of gonadotrophs in the adenohypophysis of infertile male PD rats.
Male PD strain rats are sterile in the homozygous condition (pd/pd) due to abnormal spermatogenesis detectable at around nine weeks of age. Previous studies have indicated electron microscopic abnormalities in the Sertoli cells of pd/pd males at three and 12 weeks of age. Since spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell function depend on gonadotropins (luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones [LH and FSH]) and testosterone, production and/or secretion of these hormones might be altered in pd/pd males. The aim of the study reported here was to investigate the hormonal status of pd/pd males at three, six, and nine weeks of age. Although alteration was not evident in the LH-immunoreactive cells, FSH-immunoreactive cells in pd/pd males were small in size with scant cytoplasm and were reduced in number and area (73 and 51% of phenotypically normal pd/+ males, respectively) at three weeks of age, although serum FSH concentration was similar to that in pd/+ males. At six and nine weeks of age, percentages of the areas occupied by LH- and FSH-immunoreactive cells in pd/pd males were higher than those in pd/+ males. Serum FSH concentration in pd/pd males was significantly high at nine weeks of age, although a difference in serum LH and testosterone concentration was not evident. These results suggest that FSH production in pd/pd males is decreased at three weeks of age. This might be associated with the Sertoli cell abnormalities and subsequent abnormal spermatogenesis seen in adult life.
Hojo
H
H
Laboratory of Reproductive Toxicology, Toxicology Division I, Institute of Environmental Toxicology, Ibaraki, Japan.
Aoyama
H
H
Shimizu
N
N
Kaneda
M
M
Yamamoto
E
E
Teramoto
S
S
D000818:Animals; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D011922:Rats, Mutant Strains; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone