POSSIBILITY OF DIRECT TRANSPORTATION OF TESTICULAR HORMONE TO SOME TARGET ORGANS LOCATED CLOSE TO THE TESTICLE IN THE POSTNATAL RAT AND ITS PHYSIOLOGIC SIGNIFICANCE

Abstract

Testis hormone is transported not only by the systemic blood circulation but also by a direct route to the targets adjacent to the testicle as indicated by, unilateral orchiectomy in immature rats in which the growth of separated epididymis at the testis side predominated over that of the contralateral orchiectomized. Influence of the epididymal content of testicular secretion upon the weight increase of epididymis was not significant before 60 days of age when sperm began to be detected in the tail of intact epididymis. The conditions of inequality of the androgen content or of the androgen production between both testes, provided by the unilateral intratesticular implantations of androgen pellets induced a significant asymmetric growth of the epididymides and deferent ducts. The growth asymmetry caused by unilateral orchiectomy of 4 days period was followed during the course of sexual maturation. The ratio of asymmetry was found to be the highest at about 30 days of age, before any significant growth of seminal vesicles had occurred. Thereafter this ratio started to decline, though the weight of their seminal vesicles began and continued to increase.