Response of x-irradiated and cryptorchid testes to endogenous gonadotrophins in parabiotic rats
Immature male rats were: exposed to x rays, made cryptorchid, or subjected to a combination of the two, and placed in parabiosis with castrated males. Pairs were autopsied at various intervals up to 46 weeks and effects upon gonads and accessory sex organs evaluated. The experiments were undertaken to determine the endocrine activity, and the possibility of tumor formation, in irradiated and cryptorchid testes continually stimulated by high levels of endogenous gonadotropin. X-ray dose levels used were: a total of 600 r in two doses, 600 r in one dose, or 1000 r in one dose. Attempts using 3000 r resulted in severe burns. Following irradiation, testicular weight was always below that of controls. Two doses of 300 r resulted in damage to the germinal elements and little regeneration was seen after 7 weeks. When 600 r was given in a single dose, similar results were obtained, with some return of spermntogenesis after 19 weeks and androgen production. On the other hand, almost no regeneration was seen in the seminal tubules following irradiation with 1000 r. Androgen production, however, continued above that in normal single males, with stimulation of the accessory organs. It was evident that at these doses interstitial testicular tissue survived irradiation and was able to respond to increased luteinizing hormone from the castrated partner. Results in the 2nd group (cryptorchid male and castrated male) demonstrated that intraabdominal testes can produce increased amounts of androgen when consthntiy stimulated by endogenous gonadotrophins from a castrated partner. In the 3rd group (x- irradiated cryptorchid male and castrated male) the intact partner received 1000 r on the 28th day and then was rendered cryptorchid at parabiosis on the 30th day. The irradiated intra-abdominal testes did not regain any germinal elements within 18 weeks; the tubules were shrunken and contained only sustentacular cells. Thus, unlike the situation with x irradiation or cryptorchidism alone, the stress of the combination of effects renders the testes unable to respond to the gonadotrophins of the castrated partner. The results indicate that irradiated testes are capable of responding to endogenous gonadotrophins; even at doses as high as 1000 r to 28-day-old males, interstitial cells secrete sufficient androgen to produce greatly enlarged accessory sex organs. Various degrees of regeneration in germinal elements followed two doses of 300 r, and was not correlated with androgen output.
- Research Organization:
- Kansas Univ., Kansas City
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-017532
- OSTI ID:
- 4057597
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Endocrinology, Journal Name: Journal of Endocrinology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 27; ISSN 0022-0795
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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AGE
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GONADS
HORMONES
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PARABIOSIS
PERFORMANCE
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X RADIATION