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[Effects of simulated weightlessness on reproduction in male rats]
Xing Zheng1, Xiao-ping Zhang, Yu-min Wan
1College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Objective:
To study the effects of tail-suspension on gonad and spermatic hormone in male rats.
Method:
After tail-suspension and reambulation some times in male rats, weight of testis was measured, sperm of epididymis was inspected, morphology of testicular cell was compared, and antent of testosterone assay by radioimmunoassay ratio of LH-beta positive cell in pituitary was measured by immunohistochemic.
Result:
After tail-suspension, weight of testis in male rats decreased significantly. Shape of the convoluted tubules and number of all levels of the spermatocyte in testis atrophied markedly. No sperm was found in the epididymis. Content of testosterone decreased markedly. Number of positive cell of beta-subunit of LH in the pituitary increased markedly.
Conclusion:
Tail-suspension has negative effect on sex gland and reproduction function of male rats.
