Effect of ectopic pituitary homograft on the physiological status of rat testis

Effect of flutamide on the physiological status of epididymis and epididymal sperms

Flutamide, a pure antiandrogen, increases the levels of plasma luteinizing hormone but antagonizes the biological expression of androgen on target organs. Flutamide was administered to rats to study the effect of altered availability of hormones on the functional status of epididymis. The weights of ventral prostate, seminal vesicles and epididymis showed antiandrogenic effects of flutamide. However, increased activity of kidney beta-glucuronidase reflected increased availability of testosterone. The concentrations of protein and DNA along with the activities of acid phosphatase and hyaluronidase decreased in flutamide-treated rats. The activities of acid phosphatase and hyaluronidase in epididymal sperms along with protein concentration increased in flutamide-treated rats. Alteration of epididymal function by treatments affecting lysosomal stability was indicated.

Effect of sleep deprivation on the physiological status of rat testis

The effect of alteration of central turnover of monoamines on the intratesticular mechanisms in the testis of rats was studied after REM sleep-deprivation. The reduction in the weights of ventral prostate, seminal vesicles and decreased activity of beta-glucuronidase in kidney reflected decreased availability of testosterone to the target organs. Decreased activities of lysosomal enzymes, acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase were associated with a decreased steroidogenic activity in the testis. The active mediation of lysosomal enzymes in the testicular function under altered condition was indicated.

Effects of prolactin and bromocriptine on physiological status of testis of the musk shrew (Suncus murinus L.)

This investigation was undertaken to study the effects of prolactin and bromocriptine on the testis of the musk shrew. None of these treatments had any effect on the weight of testis or on the accessory sex organs. Treatment of prolactin or bromocriptine failed to induce any change in esterified and free cholesterol content of the testis. No significant alterations were also recorded in the levels of macromolecules and in the levels of enzymes of the testis and the prostate gland. On the other hand, bromocriptine treatment resulted in an increase in the activity of Mg2+-ATPase and phospholipid:DNA ratio of the testis with a concomitant decrease in its DNA content. The absence of any change in the content of fructose in the ampullary gland, in the activity of beta-glucuronidase of the kidney, in cholesterol content of the testis, in diameters of seminiferous tubule and Leydig cell nucleus, in activities of acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase of the testis and in the weight of accessory sex organs of prolactin and bromocriptine treated musk shrews suggests that prolactin does not play a significant role in regulating the testicular function of the musk shrew.