[Spermatogenesis in the prepuberty Wistar rat during protein-energy malnutrition followed by balanced refeeding]

Protein-calorie malnutrition was induced by giving a 2% casein diet to a strain of post-weaning male Wistar rats from 26 to 56 days of age. They were then rehabilitated by a 15% casein diet till 86 days of age. Body and testis weights, diameter of seminiferous tubules and spermatogenetic score were compared to those of controls fed with the 15% casein diet. The unbalanced diet retarded growth by 30 days. Although rehabilitation of body and testis weights was incomplete, the spermatogenetic function equalled that of the controls at the end of the experiment. This aspect has been discussed.