FATE OF SPERMATOZOA IN CASES OF OBSTRUCTIVE AZOOSPERMIA AND AFTER LIGATION OF VAS DEFERENS IN MANPHADKE, A. M.
doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0070001pmid: 14125180
Summary.The epididymal secretions in cases of obstructive azoospermia, where the site of obstruction was distal to the body of the epididymis, were studied by means of new staining techniques for the detection of spermiophage cells. The spermiophage cells were rich in lipoid material which resembled the pigment lipofuscin. Results of such staining demonstrated that phagocytosis was the chief mechanism involved in the disposal of dead spermatozoa in the majority of such cases. Study of epididymal biopsies in these cases demonstrated that the sperm phagocytosis was chiefly intraluminal and the occurrence of extravasation of spermatozoa in the interstitial tissues of the epididymis was a rare phenomenon. Evidence is presented to show that the spermiophage cells are derived from the basal layer of cells lining the epididymal tubules and in some instances the columnar epithelial lining of the epididymal tubules manifested phagocytic properties. The possible significance of this finding, and its role in the development of auto-antibodies against spermatozoa in the host, is discussed.
ACTION OF AMPHOTERICIN B (FUNGIZONE) ON SPERMATOGENESIS IN THE RABBITSWIERSTRA, E. E.; WHITEFIELD, J. W.; FOOTE, R. H.
doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0070013pmid: 14125179
Summary.Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the seminiferous epithelium of rabbits treated with Amphotericin B (Fungizone) revealed that ten intravenous injections of Fungizone, at a dose level of 2·0 mg Fungizone/kg body weight/day, had no effect on the duration of the stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium, but affected the spermatozoa prior to their release from the seminiferous tubules. Fungizone decreased the rate at which the spermatozoa migrated from the Sertoli cells towards the lumen. Thus, spermatozoa which normally are released prior to Stage 1 were retained in some Stage 1 tubules of injected animals. A single local injection of Fungizone, at a dose level of 0·2 mg/ kg, into the cava vaginalis did not result in any observable change of the seminiferous epithelium. Unilateral castration had no effect on spermatogenesis in the remaining testis.
ANTITESTICULAR EFFECT OF METALLIC AND RARE EARTH SALTSKAMBOJ, V. P.; KAR, AMIYA B.
doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0070021pmid: 14125181
Summary.The effect on the testis of some forty-two water-soluble salts of metals and rare earths was investigated in rats and mice. In general, a single intratesticular injection caused varying degrees of degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium and the interstitium. Thirty-five of the salts tested exerted some degree of antitesticular effect. A single subcutaneous injection was ineffective but continuous administration by the same route caused selective spermatogenic arrest with nine salts. Some of the salts caused aspermia of the recipient animals; others disintegrated the residual spermatozoa in the ductus deferens by separation of the head and tail. The possible mechanism of action of the salts is discussed.
EFFECT OF IRRADIATION IN INFANCY ON THE MOUSE OVARYPETERS, HANNAH; LEVY, EMILIA
doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0070037pmid: 14125183
Summary.The effect on the ovary of a single dose of 20 r X-ray given at different ages early in life varies according to the age of the animal at the time of radiation. This has been investigated by determining the number of oocytes surviving 24 hr after radiation, and at varying intervals after irradiation but at a constant age of the animal, i.e. 49 days. The sensitivity of the ovary depends on the response of the small oocytes as well as on the response of the growing and large oocytes. The sensitivity of these two groups differs. Further, a variation within the two groups is noted, which is age dependent. Fifty per cent of small oocytes survive 24 hr after radiation on the day of birth whereas radiation after this age leaves only between 1 and 9% of these cells intact. The number of oocytes in the ovary at the time the animal enters maturity is 85% of the normal number after irradiation at birth, but only 1% after irradiation at the age of 3 weeks. The changing radiation sensitivity is discussed in relation to certain morphological changes in the developing ovary.
A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE MEIOTIC DIVISIONS IN NORMAL AND SUBFERTILE OR STERILE BOARS AND BULLSHENRICSON, B.; BÄCKSTRÖM, L.
doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0070053pmid: 14125185
Summary.Metaphase and anaphase figures from the meiotic divisions have been analysed and grouped in six boars and five bulls with normal fertility and in four boars and seven bulls which were relatively infertile or completely sterile. All animals had a normal semen picture except for two boars which showed spermatozoa with an acrosomal defect. The duration of metaphase and anaphase of the first and second meiotic divisions varied very little between normal animals, but varied significantly in the sterile or subfertile males.Dividing figures with an abnormal picture exist to a certain degree in normal animals and in some of the defective ones their frequency was higher. Even if chromosome changes are apparently present in some nuclei it seems more probable that the primary and main cause of the formation of defective gametes is to be found in non-chromosomal structures, as for instance the division apparatus.
ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE IN BULL SPERMATOZOANELSON, LEONARD
doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0070065pmid: 14125186
Summary.Acetylcholinesterase occurs in the head, midpiece and tail fractions of sonically disrupted bull epididymal spermatozoa. The enzyme exhibits the characteristic substrate concentration optimum; 1·5 × 10-5 m-eserine competitively inhibits the hydrolysis of the acetylcholine. The specific activity of the tail fraction is about five times that of the head fraction; in both fractions, the rate of hydrolysis of butyrylcholine is about 15% and of benzoylcholine is about 5 to 8% that of acetylcholine. The enzyme may be involved in the control of coordination and propagation of the flagellar wave.
SUPERPREGNANCY FOLLOWING PRE-FERTILIZATION X-IRRADIATION OF THE RATHAHN, E. W.; MORALES, R. L.
doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0070073pmid: 14125187
Summary.The early and late effects of a single whole-body exposure of 400 r X-ray on reproduction were studied in rats exposed during various stages of the oestrous cycle prior to mating. The early effects, i.e. those observed in females that mated during the first expected oestrus after irradiation, seemed to involve superovulation, the greatest response occurring in females irradiated during metoestrus (m) or early dioestrus (m +1). Implantation rates were increased in all groups of females except those which mated half a day after irradiation (m +3b). Average litter size was highest in females irradiated during metoestrus or early dioestrus. Those females irradiated during late dioestrus (m +3 and m+3a) had litters which were comparable to control size, whereas the litters were more or less completely resorbed in females that mated half a day after irradiation.Though the numbers of corpora lutea were still increased up to at least 17½ days after exposure, the number of implantations, and of 20-day foetuses, was comparable to control values in females that mated after the first expected oestrus (late effects).Foetuses, under both early and late effects, were normal in size and development. The physiological implications of this phenomena are discussed.
RESPONSE OF THE EWE TO A HORSE ANTERIOR PITUITARY EXTRACTMOORE, N. W.; SHELTON, J. N.
doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0070079pmid: 14125188
Summary.A trial of factorial design is described, in which was studied the response of the cyclic ewe to a horse anterior pituitary extract (hap) Three total-dose levels of hap (60, 90 and 135 mg) were administered over 2 or 3 days commencing on the 12th day of the oestrous cycle. The total dose was given as either two or three equal daily injections, or four or six equal twice-daily injections.Highly significant (P<0·001) linear dose-response relationships were observed in the ovulatory response to both 2- and 3-day treatments. Treatment for 3 days was significantly better than treatment for 2 days in the proportion of ewes ovulating (P<0·05), ovulation rates (P<0·001) and fertilization of eggs shed (P< 0·001).For both 2- and 3-day treatments the ovarian responses varied with the time elapsing between the final hap injection and the onset of oestrus. Maximum responses were observed in ewes in oestrus 24 to 48 hr after the cessation of treatment. Fertilization in ewes treated for 2 days, but not in those treated for 3 days, also varied with the time elapsing between the cessation of treatment and onset of oestrus.The results showed hap to be a most effective preparation for the induction of multiple ovulation in the ewe.