[Effect of aromatic retinoid on spermatogenesis in rats. Light microscopy findings in the testes (including some...

In an experimental study we examined the influence of a toxic dose of aromatic retinoid (Ro 10-9359) on the spermatogenesis of 30 Wistar rats. Aside from testis tissue of both testes, liver, heart, lung, kidney, adrenal gland as well as the skin have been investigated histologically. The rats received retinoid at a daily rate of 25 mg/kg body weight in physiological salt solution by means of a gastric tube. Another 20 rats receiving only physiological salt solution served as control group. 8 weeks after application of retinoid resp. physiological salt solution, 15 animals with retinoid intoxication as well as 10 control animals were killed. The remaining 25 animals were killed after an application-free interval of 8 weeks. 8 weeks after retinoid intoxication, 6 rats revealed a reduced spermatogenesis, 2 of them with a complete spermatogenic arrest at the stage of spermatocytes I in all analyzed parts of the testes. The diameter of the seminiferous tubules turned out to be decreased by about 30% in comparison to the other 9 rats having received retinoid and to the control group. The spermatogenesis of these 9 rats was equally normal as that of the control group. 8 weeks after withdrawal of the drug there was no sign for reduced spermatogenesis with 14 animals, whereas the 15th rat did not show any cells of spermatogenesis but only Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules in all parts of its testes. In liver, heart and lung we observed minimal pathological findings which have to be regarded as an unspecific reaction caused by drug intoxication. All other investigated organs proved histologically no pathological findings.