[Effects of simulated weightlessness on reproduction in male rats].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of tail-suspension on gonad and spermatic hormone in male rats.


METHODS
After tail-suspension and reambulation some times in male rats, weight of testis was measured, sperm of epididymis was inspected, morphology of testicular cell was compared, and antent of testosterone assay by radioimmunoassay ratio of LH-beta positive cell in pituitary was measured by immunohistochemic.


RESULTS
After tail-suspension, weight of testis in male rats decreased significantly. Shape of the convoluted tubules and number of all levels of the spermatocyte in testis atrophied markedly. No sperm was found in the epididymis. Content of testosterone decreased markedly. Number of positive cell of beta-subunit of LH in the pituitary increased markedly.


CONCLUSIONS
Tail-suspension has negative effect on sex gland and reproduction function of male rats.
Zheng
Xing
X
College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Zhang
Xiao-ping
XP
Wan
Yu-min
YM
Qin
Yi
Y
Wang
Jian-jin
JJ
Li
Ying-hui
YH
D000818:Animals; D001284:Atrophy; D019417:Hindlimb Suspension; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D018474:Weightlessness Simulation
D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone