Effect of Induced Liver Cirrhosis on the Reproductive System of the Male Rat.

Abstract

Young adult [male] rats were intubated with varying doses of CCl4 in 50% alcohol thrice weekly for periods up to 12 wks. to produce hepatic damage. 0.05 ml. CCl4 3 times/wk. produced maximum liver damage with minimum mortality. Thirty-two additional animals were given this dose for from 22 [long dash]88 days. The sex accessories were removed and weighed at the time of sacrifice. Striking atrophy of the sex accessories was observed, a reduction in wt. of 67% below untreated controls occurring in 80 days. There was no significant change in testicular wt., and only two of the 32 treated animals showed histologic damage. Withdrawal of the poisonous agent resulted in healing of the liver and partial wt. recovery of the sex accessories.