THE SECRETION OF FLUID BY THE TESTES OF RATS, RAMS AND GOATS WITH SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECT OF AGE, CRYPTORCHIDISM AND HYPOPHYSECTOMY

Abstract

Fluid secretion by the seminiferous tubules of the testes of rats, rams and goats has been calculated from measurements of weight and water content of the testes after ligation of the efferent ducts. Measurement of fluid secretion made in this way gave similar results to other studies where the volume of fluid flowing from a catheter in the rete testis was measured. Fluid secretion was absent in the testes of very young animals but had reached adult proportions before the first spermatozoa were shed. Surgically-induced cryptorchidism and hypophysectomy in rats had no immediate effect on fluid secretion. Hypophysectomy in rats 1 to 4 weeks before efferent duct ligation caused a reduction in fluid secretion, but this fluid secretion was the same as that by control testes of the same weight. Cryptorchidism of 2 to 7 days' duration led to a decrease in fluid secretion. The ionic composition of fluid secreted by the testis was calculated and found to be similar to that of fluid collected from a catheter.