QUANTITATIVE EFFECTS OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY ON TESTIS AND PROSTATE OF DOGS

Abstract

Complete hypophysectomy through the temporal, intracranial route in 4 dogs under intravenous Na seconal anesthesia, 30 mg./kg., resulted in atrophy of testicular tubules, only spermatogonia and Sertoli cells remaining after 41-68 days. The interstitial cell fat content varies little. (Sudan III stained sections.) Testicular wt. decreased to 2/3 of normal, with decreased water, increased chloride and fat concns. and decreased total fats. The prostate regresses profoundly to the prepuberal state, acid phosphatase being reduced to below castrate levels and alkaline phosphatase to the juvenile state. (Detns. on 1 g. of minced, water-extracted tissue by the method of King and Armstrong.) Subtotal hypophysectomy in dogs is associated with prostatic atrophy but retention of normal spermatogenesis.