ACTIVITY STUDIES ON CASTRATED MALE AND FEMALE RATS WITH TESTICULAR GRAFTS, IN CORRELATION WITH HISTOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE GRAFTS

Abstract

The activity of castrated [male] and [female] rats, which is much less that of normal rats, can be increased very considerably by implantation of testes. Testes were implanted into 36 animals, 17 [male] and 19 [female]. Six of the [male] and 2 of the [female] listed as "functional takes" showed a definite increase in activity; 1 [male] and 1 [female] listed as "possible functional takes" showed a doubtful increase; and all of the remaining animals listed as "functional non-takes" showed no change in activity level. Large grafts were found in all of the animals showing a definite increase in activity, with the exception of 1 [female] which probably had not been fully spayed. Small grafts were found in the 2 "possible takes," and in 8 of the 11 [male] "non-takes" and 4 of the 16 [female] "non-takes." Microscopic study revealed that the testicular grafts were not absolutely normal in any of the animals. In general it can be Raid, however, that the increase in activity stands in direct proportion to the state of preservation of the graft, and that the most important part of the testes for the production of the activity increase appears to be the interstitial tissue. Testicular transplants "take" much better in [male] than in [female]. The increase in activity produced by transplanted testes is much less than that produced by transplanted ovaries.