HORMONAL CONTROL OF ZINC IN MATURE RAT TESTIS

Abstract

SUMMARY: Eleven days following hypophysectomy the capacity of the rat testis to take up administered ⁶⁵Zn is markedly depressed below values noted in intact controls, even though microscopically there is only a slight diminution in the number of germinal epithelial and interstitial elements. Interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH) in doses of 5 μg./day administered from the 5th to the 10th day after operation completely prevented the fall in total ⁶⁵Zn uptake of the testis following removal of the pituitary. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was less effective than ICSH in this regard. The possibility of the FSH effect being due to contamination with ICSH is considered. Growth hormone and prolactin in doses of 200 μg./day administered from the 5th to 10th day after operation were ineffective in preventing the fall in ⁶⁵Zn uptake of the testis following hypophysectomy.