Reversal of Short Photoperiod‐Induced Sterility in Male Hamsters by Ectopic Pituitary Homografts

A. Bartke, M. S. Smith, S. Dalterio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the hamster testicular atrophy can be reversed by ectopic pituitary grafts but effects of this treatment on fertility have not been examined. Adult male hamsters were transferred from a long (14 h of light: 10 h of darkness) to a short photoperiod (5 h of light: 19 h of darkness) to induce atrophy of the testes. Two months later, the animals were given transplants of one or two pituitaries from adult females under the kidney capsule, were sham‐operated, or left untreated. After an additional 2 months, all of 7 animals given one graft and 2 of 5 animals given two grafts were fertile while none of 10 control males sired litters. At autopsy, the concentration of testosterone in the plasma and the weights of the testes and the seminal vesicles were significantly higher in grafted than in control animals. Plasma FSH levels were increased only in animals given two transplants, while plasma LH levels were not affected by either of the treatments. Restoration of fertility by pituitary transplants was most likely due to increase in peripheral PRL concentration and in testicular LH receptor levels.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)257-262
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Andrology
Volume2
Issue number1-6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1979
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • gonadotropins
  • photoperiod
  • pituitary grafts
  • prolactin
  • seasonal breeding
  • testes
  • testosterone

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Urology

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