Spleen and lymph node changes in rats irradiated with X-rays and treated with testosterone

The authors have studied the effect of testosterone administration in male adult Wistar rats irradiated with a single total dose of 800 r X-rays. The results obtained show that testosterone exerts a double radioprotective action. This hormone prevents both the occurrence of the senile type spleen and lymph node changes and the depression of the colloidopexic capacity of the hepatosplenic macrophages. At the same time, these results suggest that testosterone induces hyperplasia of the lymphocytic elements, particularly of T lymphocytes.