Depletion of the spermatogonia from the seminiferous epithelium of the rhesus monkey after X irradiation
In unirradiated testes large differences were found in the total number of spermatogonia among different monkeys, but the number of spermatogonia in the right and the left testes of the same monkey appeared to be rather similar. During the first 11 days after irradiation with 0.5 to 4.0 Gy of X rays the number of Apale spermatogonia (Ap) decreased to about 13% of the control level, while the number of Adark spermatogonia (Ad) did not change significantly. A significant decrease in the number of Ad spermatogonia was seen at Day 14 together with a significant increase in the number of Ap spermatogonia. It was concluded that the resting Ad spermatogonia are activated into proliferating Ap spermatogonia. After Day 16 the number of both Ap and Ad spermatogonia decreased to low levels. Apparently the new Ap spermatogonia were formed by lethally irradiated Ad spermatogonia and degenerated while attempting to divide. The activation of the Ad spermatogonia was found to take place throughout the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. Serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels were measured before and after irradiation. Serum FSH levels already had increased during the first week after irradiation to 160% of the control level. Serum LH levels increased between 18 and 25 days after irradiation. Serum testosterone levels did not change at all. The results found in the rhesus monkey are in line with those found in humans, but due to the presence of Ad spermatogonia they differ from those obtained in non-primates.
- Research Organization:
- State Univ. of Utrecht, Medical School (Netherlands)
- OSTI ID:
- 5198227
- Journal Information:
- Radiat. Res.; (United States), Vol. 113:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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FSH
SECRETION
LH
SPERMATOGONIA
CELL PROLIFERATION
TESTES
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
TESTOSTERONE
EPITHELIUM
LETHAL IRRADIATION
MONKEYS
X RADIATION
ANDROGENS
ANDROSTANES
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
GONADOTROPINS
GONADS
HORMONES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IRRADIATION
KETONES
MALE GENITALS
MAMMALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PEPTIDE HORMONES
PITUITARY HORMONES
PRIMATES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES
560152* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Animals