Abstract
The effects of vitamin E deficiency on the pituitary-gonadal function in the rats were examined by light and electron microscopy of the pituitary and testis and by measuring levels of pituitary-and circulating-luteinizing (LH) and follicular stimulating hormones (FSH) by radioimmunoassay, at 60 and 90 days after feeding of vitamin E deficient diet. In the vitamin E deficient rats, the FSH- and LH- secretory cells in the anterior pituitary gland appeared accelerated secretory function indicated by enlargement of cells, development of Golgi apparatus and cytoplasmic vacuoles and accumulation of secretory granules. However, the testis showed remarkable degenerating changes, such as atrophy of seminiferous tubules, appearance of polynuclear giant cells and sloughed germ cells in the tubular lumen and disruption of spermatogenesis. Serum LH and FSH levels were rised in the vitamin E deficient rats after 2 and 3 months and pituitary contents of LH and FSH were also increased in vitamin E deficient rats. These results indicate that the gonadal function was impaired by vitamin E deficiency, neverthless the pituitary function to secret gonadotrophin was accelerated. It is, therefore, suggested that the vitamin E deficiency gives a suppressive effect directly to the gonadal function and that the acceleration of pituitary function is due to impaired gonadal function.
