Effects of sialoadenectomy and epidermal growth factor on testicular function of sexually mature male mice

The effect of sialoadenectomy (Sx) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) administration on testicular function was investigated in 8-week old C3H mice. Animals were divided initially into three groups: sham operated controls, Sx, and Sx + EGF treated (100 micrograms./kg./day subcutaneously for 28 days). Sialoadenectomy completely depleted the circulating levels of EGF and reduced body weight and reproductive organ weights. However, kidney weight was not affected. Quantitative analysis of spermatogenesis showed a decrease in preleptotene and pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids, which resulted in a decrease in sperm counts. Sperm motility and fertility were also significantly decreased. Endocrinologic studies showed a 2- and 6-fold elevation in intratesticular and serum levels of testosterone and a decrease in luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. Follicle stimulating hormone levels were not altered. Administration of EGF to the Sx animals maintained reproductive organ weights, spermatogenesis and levels of LH and testosterone closer to control values; however, sperm motility was not maintained at control value. That sialoadenectomy resulted in a decline in androgen-dependent parameters, in spite of an elevation in testosterone levels, and EGF maintained them closer to the control value suggested that EGF may modulate androgen action. A comparison was therefore carried out between the effects of Sx and administration of flutamide (F), an androgen receptor blocker. Animals were subjected to Sx, F treatment (100 mg./kg./day subcutaneously for 28 days), Sx + F, or Sx + F + EGF. The effects of Sx and F treatment on organ weights, sperm counts and sperm motility were more or less similar. As expected, flutamide treatment increased LH and FSH levels, and testosterone levels were normal. The Sx + F animals showed no further decrease in organ weights, sperm count and motility. Treatment with Sx + F increased intratesticular and serum levels of testosterone by 2- and 10-fold. Circulating levels of LH and FSH were the same as in the flutamide-treated group. Administration of EGF to Sx + F maintained all these parameters, except sperm motility, closer to the control value. These results suggest that EGF either bypasses flutamide effects and acts directly or that EGF modulates androgen action at one or more steps in the signal transduction pathway in the male reproductive organs.