[Changes in testosterone levels in rabbit embryo testes after removal of the hypothalamus (encephalectomy)]

Brain hypothalamus region was removed by encephalectomy in utero in 21-23-day-old rabbit fetuses to find out when hypothalamic control over testicular androgenous function was set up during rabbit prenatal development. Testosterone concentration in testicular tissue was measured by radioimmunoassay at different terms after the operation. Encephalectomy resulted in a reliable decrease of testosterone concentration in 29- and 25-day-old fetuses, however, no significant changes were observed in 23-day-old fetuses. The greatest reduction in hormone gland concentration was noted in 25-day-old fetuses, encephalectomized on day 23 of their development. Introduction of LH-RH to 25-day-old encephalectomized fetuses 30 min before fixation significantly increased androgen concentration in the gland. The data obtained indicate that hypothalamic control over testicular androgenous function is set up on days 23-25 of prenatal development.