MORPHOLOGICAL-CHANGES OF PINEAL BODY IN RATS AFTER ANTIANDROGEN TREATMENT OR CASTRATION

Abstract

Light microscopy and EM studies of pineal bodies of sexually mature male rats after hormonal castration by administration of cyproterone and cyproterone acetate were made, and the findings compared with results obtained in the pineal bodies of surgically castrated animals of the same strain. Epiphysectomy was performed 3, 6, 9 and 12 wk after castration or antiandrogen application. Structures found after antiandrogen application are not as outstandingly recognizable as after surgical castration. Biological differences of the surgical compared with hormonal castration seem to be reflected in the cell picture of the pinealocytes. The pineal body, after treatment with antiandrogen, shows cytostructural changes similar to those of increased anabolism. They support the position of the pineal body in the control system of a feedback mechanism between releasing factor, gonadotropin and androgen. The mechanism apparently occurs by a simulated androgen deficit, producing an increased synthesis and secretion of melatonin. The organ specific melatonin is probably contained in the liposomes. The detection of acid phosphatase in these inclusion bodies is under discussion; it cannot be interpreted as paraplasm in any case, but rather as a special form of lysosome.