ON TESTIS AND EPlDlDYMlS OF RATS - Pondicherry University ...

eduction in Leydig cell volume per testis (Wilker, 1996). Reduction in the weight ol'
the testis could be due to the Loss of germ cells by direct inhibition of TCDD on
spermatogenesis or an indirect effect through inhibition of testosterone production.
The present findings are consistent with previous report in which reduction in weight
of the testis may be due to the loss of germ cells and Sertoli cells in the TCDD-treated
rats (Mably el al., 1992; Johnson el ul., 1992).
The weights of epididymis, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate decreased
significantly in adult rats while weight of the kidney remained unchanged following
administration of TCDD (Fig. 4b to 4f; Table la & I b). Epididyrnis and accessory
sex organs require a continuous androgenic stimulation for their normal growth and
functions (Klinefelter and Hess, 1998). It has been reported that accessory sex organs
are androgen dependent and thus reflect the availability of androgen over a period of
time (Mathw and Chanopadhyay. 1982). TCDD has also been reported to reduce
plasma testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in the rats (Mably er ul., 1992).
Inhibition on the weights of the epididymis, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate may
be either due to the reduction in the levels of serum testosterone or a direct action of
TCDD on the epididymis and accessory sex organs. 'She observed reduction in thu
weight of accessory sex organs also reflected reduced bioavailability andl or
production of androgen in the TCDD-treated rats.
In the present studies
administration of TCDD at these doses did not affect the weights of the extra-
reproductive tissues like kidney though the activity of P-gluco~nidase in kidney has
been demonstrated as testosterone dependent enzyme (Malarvizhi and Mathur, 1996).
5.2.2 Effect oCTCDD oo daily spcrm production
Adn>inistntion of TCDD dccrcascd siynilicunlly thc doily spcrm production
as compared to the corresponding groups of control animals (Fig. 5a: Table 2). Thc
observed reduction in the daily sperm production also rellects reduction in
spermatogenesis. The present findings are consistent with the earlier reports in which