Immunocytochemical localization of protamine in the boar testis

Protamine was specifically demonstrated in spermatids and spermatozoa of the boar by immunoelectron microscopy, using anti-boar or anti-ram protamine antisera, and three different direct or indirect labelling techniques. The two isomers of the protamine could not be labelled separately. The protamine is present in the cytoplasm of elongating spermatids and it enters the nuclei throughout the elongation process after possible storage in the cytoplasm or in the nuclear envelope of spermatids, or both. These findings differ from previous observations in othe

Effect of local heating of rat testes after suppression of spermatogenesis by pretreatment with a GnRH agonist and an anti-androgen

The effects of local heating of rat testes, in which spermatogenesis had been suppressed with injections of a GnRH agonist and an anti-androgen, were examined. Although the detrimental effects of heating were not as marked as those found in the testes of non-injected rats, the testes in which spermatogenesis was suppressed also showed a significant reduction in mass, the number of spermatozoa, tubular diameter and the percentage of normal tubular cross-sections at day 35 after heating. The results indicate that heating has an effect on cells in the testis other than those shown to be most susceptible to heat, namely pachytene spermatocytes and early spermatids, which were absent or markedly reduced in number when spermatogenesis was suppressed. The long-term effects of heating on the above parameters, as reported in a previous study, were also confirmed. However, in testes in which spermatogenesis was suppressed at the time of heating, there appeared to be no or a reduced long-term impairment of spermatogenesis, as determined by testis mass, the percentage of qualitatively normal tubules and epididymal sperm counts.</jats:p

Abnormalities in the fine structure of the spermatids of rats injected with cadmium

The degenerative changes in the spermatids as measured by changes in fine structure abnormalities increased with time following injection of Cd 2+ into rat testis. The spermatids in the twelve hours group appear as peculiarly club shaped and elongated structures with one or two small but perceptible vacuoles. The subacrosomal area and the space between the nucleus and the middle piece are seen abnormally dilated. In the 30 day group, the central filaments are the most susceptible unit of 9+2 axoneme complex. The plasma membrane, the cytoplasmic matrix, the mitochondria of the middle piece and the fibrous sheath appear shrunken, discontinuous and degenerative. © 1980 Indian Academy of Sciences