Abstract
In most cases, the testes of the Yoshida sarcoma-bearing rats were retained in the abdominal cavity during the latter part of their life span. These elevated testes are highly disorganized showing a remarkable decrease in size. Quite similar condition of the testis was found also in the MTK-sarcomas.
Microscopical observations of the elevated testes showed that little or no spermatogenetic activity was occurring. The seminiferous tubules had shrunk as a result of the disintegration of germ cells. The germ cells showed various types of mitotic abnormalities. They are as follows: scattering or displacement of chromosomes at metaphase, varying numbers of chromosomes, irregular distribution of chromosomes at anaphase, spindle disturbance, non-disjunction and lagging of chromosomes at anaphase, chromosome bridges at anaphase, formation of bi- and multi-nucleate cells, formation of restitution-nucleus, multi-polar mitoses, stickiness and coalescence of chromosomes, swelling of chromosomes, deformation of chromosomes into round bodies, breaking down of the inner chromonema spirals with bead-like appearance.
A tentative conclusion was given on the cause of the degeneration of germ cells in the elevated testis of the tumor animal as follows: the influence of strange environmental condition of the elevated testis, coupled with the effect of the injurious body fluid produced by the tumor, may form the cause of the disturbance in the supplies of blood, nutrient and other secreting substances in the testis, and this may result in the production of mitotic abnormality in germ cells which are most susceptible to strange environment.
