THE EFFECT OF LOCAL TESTICULAR IRRADIATION ON TESTICULAR HISTOLOGY AND PLASMA HORMONE LEVELS IN THE MALE RAT

Abstract

Adult male rats were subjected to local testicular irradiation after which plasma hormone levels and testicular histology were quantified at intervals up to 52 days. LH [luteinizing hormone] and FSH [follicle stimulating hormone] increased coincidently with spermatid but not with spermatocyte or spermatogonia depletion. Testosterone levels decreased but this effect was not significant. Estradiol levels showed no significant changes. The lack of inhibin was the main cause of the increase in both LH and FSH and spermatids provided the signal for production of this non-steroidal inhibitor. The site of inhibin production was not definitively established but the results were consistent with production of inhibin by the Sertoli cells in association with spermatids.