The relationship between nutrition and androgenic activity in pubescent twin calves, and the effect of orchitis

The inhibitory effect of underfeeding on the process of male pubescence was studied in three pairs of bovine identical twin calves by feeding one twin on a normal and the other on a low plane of nutrition. As a result of malnutrition the development of the androgenic function of the testes was retarded much more markedly than spermatogenesis.

In the undernourished twin the testes contained and secreted less testosterone, and showed a lower testosterone: androstenedione ratio, than in the control animal. This nutritionally conditioned androgen deficiency was clearly reflected in a markedly retarded onset of production of fructose and citric acid by the seminal vesicles.

After castration the underfed twin responded to testosterone injections much more sluggishly than the control twin, as shown by the delayed appearance of fructose and citric acid in electrically-induced ejaculates.

Observations were also made on the effects of orchitis and cryptorchidism. Both these conditions lowered markedly the androgenic activity in the calves.

Fructose and citric acid in the male accessory glands of the Indian palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti (Wroughton)

The sites of formation of fructose and citric acid in the male accessory glands of reproduction in the Indian palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti, are described. The seminal vesicle secretes only fructose in concentrations much higher than any recorded so far in a rodent. The compact prostate produces both fructose and citric acid. The findings are discussed in relation to the sites of formation of these constituents in other rodents.

Androgen synthesis by the testes and adrenal glands of rats poisoned with cadmium chloride

Androgen synthesis after administration of cadmium chloride to rats has been studied histologically, histochemically and biochemically. Incubation in vitro of testicular tissue removed 10 days after cadmium administration revealed markedly decreased testosterone synthesis. After 100 and 150 days, testosterone synthesis in vitro had increased progressively and significantly, but there was a marked decrease in the testosterone: androstenedione ratio. Surviving Leydig cells, giving typical histochemical reactions for 3β-, 16β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, were observed under the tunica albuginea immediately after cadmium poisoning. Fifty days after the cadmium treatment, mesenchymal cells, giving a histochemical 3α- and 16α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase reaction, but no other hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase reaction of normal Leydig cells, grew into the testes from the tunica albuginea. Weight, citric acid and fructose contents of seminal vesicles of cadmium-treated rats fell nearly to castration levels, but showed some degree of recovery thereafter. Studies in vitro on adrenal tissue from cadmium-poisoned rats suggested that the rate of testosterone biosynthesis from pregnenolone was increased.