Ultrastructure of the Rat Testis in Experimental Uremia

Abstract

Introduction plasma testosterone levels (Zadeh et al. -1975;Lim and Fang -1975) in the face of elevated LH and FSL levels (Holdsworth et al. -1977; Jecht et al. -1979). In addition, abnormal spermiograms (Lim and Fang -1975) and altered testicular histology were observed (Holdsworth et al. -1977). So far, the ultrastructure of Leydig cells and Sertoli cells have not been examined.Leydig and Sertoli cell ultrastructure respond to a variety of hormonal and environmental signals (Zipf et al. -1978, Purvis et al. -1978Hsueh et al. -1978;Bartke et al. -1978;Fawcett -1975;Christensen -1975) many of whch are known to be disturbed inUremia. This consideration led us to examine testicular ultrastructure in rats with experimental uremia.Gonadal dysfunction is commonly found in uremic man. Several authors reported low Material and MethodsExperimental groups 60 g male Sprague Dawley rats were used. Four groups of rats, each comprising 6 animals, were studied.Group 1 were sham operated pairfed controls, i.e. animals which received the amount of food consumed on the previous night by a matched uremic animal.Group 2 were uremic rats with two stage subtotal nephrectomy. In anaesthesized rats (Evipan 50 mg/kg body weight), the right kidney was exposed by a dorsal flank incision. Most of the cortex was removed and the exteriorized remaining parenchyma was irradiated through a lead window with 400 rad. as described before (Mehls et al. -1977). The body was carefully shielded. Controls were sham irradiated (kidney not exteriorized). 7 days later, the left kidney was completely removed through a flank incision. After 3 weeks, the animals were sacrificed.Group 3 were sham operated pairfed animals which received 2 x 20 IU/d of hCG (HCG Comany; Schering CO, Berlin) by intraperitoneal injection for 3 days prior to sacrifice.tire 3 weeks period of uremia. ElectronmicroscopyIn deep ether anaesthesia the animals were laparatomized and a polyethylene tubing was inserted into the abdominal aorta proximal to the renal arteries. The vena cava was Group 4 were uremic animals which were treated with 2 x 20 IU hCG i.p. for the en-