Action of Anterior Pituitary on Sertoli Cells and on Release of Toad Spermatozoa

Abstract

Intravenous injn. of whole pituitary gland extract of [male] toads into toads in sexual rest caused a great increase and vacuolization of the cytoplasm of the Sertoli cells. Three hrs. after the injn. all mature spermatozoa were released and the Sertoli cells appeared enormously vacuolized with irregular apical borders due to rupture of some vacuoles. This rupturing and disintegration caused by the pituitary gland is responsible for the release of the spermatozoa of the toad.