HISTOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE TESTICULAR TISSUE AFTER VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE NERVES INNERVATING IT

Abstract

Histological and biochemical examinations on the testicular tissue of 30 adult dogs were performed 1 to 21 weeks after unilateral section of the various nerves innervated to it; e. g., the section of the ventral roots, the dorsal roots, both the ventral and dorsal roots of D₁₃-L₂ spinal nerves, the resection of the spinal ganglions of that nerves, and the section of the hypogastric nerve, respectively.
The results obtained were as follows:
1. After unilateral section of the ventral roots, the germinal cells were decreased remarkably and spermatogenesis was stopped completely, while rather significant change in the interstitial tissue could not be found.
2. After unilateral section of both the ventral and dorsal roots, the tubular basement membrane was markedly thickened and the germinal epithelium was composed almost entirely of Sertoli cells. The interstitial connective tissue was increased in amount.
3. After unilateral section of the dorsal roots, the germinal cells were disintegrating. The interstitial tissue revealed rather edematous sight.
4. After unilateral removal of the spinal ganglions, no remarkable change was observed in the tubules, while edema of the interstitial tissue were recognized. The interstitial cells were significantly increased.
5. After unilateral section of the hypogastric nerve, the germinal cells were considerably decreased. The interstitial tissue revealed rather edematous sight.
6. In general, Qo₂ and Qco₂ of the testicular tissue were increased after section of the various testicular nerves, especially, after the section of both the ventral and dorsal roots.
Remarkable changes in Qo₂ and Qco₂ after removal of the spinal ganglions or section of the hypogastric nerve could not be recognized.
7. Succinic- and lactic- dehydrogenase activities were generally decreased after section of various terticular nerves, but the ratio of them were increased corresponding to the changes in the interstitial tissue, for instance, in the case with section of both the ventral and dorsal roots, the case with section of the dorsal roots or removal of the spinal ganglions. As mentioned above, the characteristic chages in the histological and biochemical aspects of the testicular tissue were observed corresponding to the kind of the nerve resected.
And furthermore, it was assumed that these changes would be produced by the direct reaction of the testicular tissue due to the section of the nerves.