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

cytoplasmic droplets shed from sperm dwing epididymal transit (Henno er 01.. 1988).
The journey from the testis to the cauda epididymis has been shown to take
approximately 4 days in rats (Klinefelter and Hess, 1998).
Estrogen has also been shown to play an important role in fluid reabsorption in
efferent ductulcs and epididymis of rats (Hess et a[., 1997; Hess et al., 2000). Effect
of estrogen on the epididymis can be viewed either as indirect or direct. since
estradiol is a potent suppressor of LH secretion. Administration of estradiol results in
a decrease in gonadotrophins and consequently in a shutdown of Leydig cell function,
and hence androgen production. The presence of aromatase activity has been reported
in spermatozoa entering the epididymis (Janulis et al., 1998) and of estrogen receptors
in epididymal principal cells (Hess et al., 1997). Estrogen has been shown to cause
reduction in epididymal sperm number and motility in adult male rats (Kaneto er al.,
1999).
1.2 Target organ response to testosterone
Accessory sex organs in male have been reported to be androgen dependent
and thus reflect the availability of androgens (Hunt el al., 1978). Weights of the
accessory sex organs in castrated male rats have been widely used as a bioassay for
androgenic and antiandrogenic compounds (Neumann and Steinbeck, 1974).
Weights. sizes, cytological structures and mitotic activity of the seminal vesicles of
mouse were established as indicators of bioassay for androgenic hormones (Deanesly
and Parkes, 1933). Measurement of weights of the accessory sex organs in intact rats
has been shown to reflect the estimation of cumulative effect of biologically active
testosterone over a period (Mathw and Chattopadhyny. 1982).
The sensitivity of the accessory sex organs varied from organ lo orgun 21s
shown by the requirement of androgen for seminal vesicles being 3 times more than
that of prostate (Moore and Gallagher. 1930; Burkhart. 1942). The maintenance of
structural and functional integrity of prostate gland has ken reported to be dependent
upon the amount of circulating androgen pr$nccd by the testis (Butler and Schode,