输精管吻合术后睾丸cAMP含量与精子密度的关系

日本大耳白雄兔３２只，随机分为输精管结扎组（ＶＧ）、输精管结扎－吻合组（ＶＡＧ）和假手术组（ＳＯＧ）。结果显示：ＶＡＧ的精子密度明显低于ＳＯＧ（Ｐ＜０．０１），并且与睾丸组织ｃＡＭＰ含量呈明显正相关（ｒ＝０．８４１，Ｐ＜０．０１）。血清睾酮水平３组无显著差异。ＶＧ，ＶＡＧ的睾丸重量均低于ＳＯＧ（Ｐ＜０．０１，Ｐ＜０．０５），但ＶＡＧ与ＶＧ比较有显著差异（Ｐ＜０．０５），且ＶＡＧ和ＳＯＧ的睾丸重量与精子密度也呈明显正相关（ｒ＝０．６９９，Ｐ＜０．０１）．说明输精管结扎及吻合后一段时间内睾丸生精功能处于相对抑制状态，且与对垂体促性腺激素反应性下降有关。     

昆明山海棠提取物TH5对雄性大鼠的抗生育活性

为了开发避孕新药，作者对昆明山海棠提取物ＴＨ５的抗生育活性进行了研究。５批Ｗｉｓｔａｒ成年雄性大鼠灌服ＴＨ５（１１６ｍｇ／ｋｇ）３０天后的雄性抗生育有效率平均为９７％（８６／８９）。停服ＴＨ５２０天后的大鼠附睾尾部三项精子参数统计值明显低于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０５或Ｐ＜０．０１）；停服ＴＨ５５０天后，９０％的受试大鼠恢复生育，其附睾尾部的三项精子参数值与对照组相比无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。ＴＨ５对大鼠体重、睾丸重量与大小等无影响。认为ＴＨ５具有发展为男用避孕药的良好前景。     

海洛因依赖者的精液分析研究

对３０名男性海洛因依赖者（下称吸毒组）进行吸毒史调查,并进行精液常规分析及生化分析,与３０名正常男性精液作对照。结果表明,与对照组相比吸毒组精液量减少（Ｐ＜０．０５）,精子计数减少（Ｐ＜０．０１）,精子活力减低（Ｐ＜０．０１）,活动率降低（Ｐ＜０．０１）,且精子活力与吸毒总量、精子计数与吸毒总量均呈负相关关系（ｒ１＝－０．８３,ｒ２＝－０．６３）。吸毒组精浆果糖浓度降低（Ｐ＜０．０１）。精浆锌、钙浓度低下（Ｐ＜０．０５）,而精浆铁浓度明显升高（Ｐ＜０．０１）。精液涂片观察发现吸毒组精子畸形率明显高于对照组。结果表明海洛因依赖可导致男性精液质与量发生明显异常改变。     

全身性非特异性免疫反应对大鼠睾丸功能的影响──Ⅱ.激素水平的变化

本实验以ＳＤ雄性大鼠为实验对象，采用碳粒血管内注射的方法，给动物造成一种全身性的非特异性免疫反应状态，以观察在这种状态下睾丸和垂体的激素分泌情况。动物经每天１次，共１０天的碳粒鼠尾静脉注射后，血浆睾酮的水平（０．８９６±０．３５８ｎｇ／ｄｌ，ｎ＝５）明显低于对照组（２．６５６±０．９９３ｎｇ／ｄｌ，ｎ＝７，Ｐ＜０．００５）；血浆ＬＨ（３．６７６±１．３５０ｍＩＵ／ｍｌ，ｎ＝９，４．６２７±２．５３９ｍＩＵ／ｍｌ，ｎ＝１０）两组比较无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）；ＦＳＨ实验组（３．３６２±０．９２６ｍＩＵ／ｍｌ，ｎ＝９）与对照组相比明显降低（４．８９４±１．２３６ｍＩＵ／ｍｌ，ｎ＝１０，Ｐ＜０．０１）。实验组动物睾丸间质内ＡＣＰ阳性反应细胞增多，而β－羟基甾体脱氢酶反应消失。作者认为全身性的免疫反应既可以通过垂体也可以直接的作用于睾丸内的相关细胞，从而影响睾丸的功能。     

胰岛素替代治疗对青春期糖尿病鼠睾丸间质和支持细胞功能的影响

以４０日龄雄性Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠４０只，分为对照（Ｃ），糖尿病（Ｄ），糖尿病胰岛素及时治疗（ＤＣＩＲ）和糖尿病胰岛素延迟治疗（ＤＤＩＲ）组，进行睾丸间质细胞和支持细胞功能的研究。结果表明：血清睾酮Ｄ组最低，培养间质细胞睾酮分泌量ＤＣＩＲ、ＤＤＩＲ和Ｄ组均显著低于Ｃ组（Ｐ＜０．０５及０．００１），ｃＡＭＰ分泌量ＤＤＩＲ和Ｄ组显著低于Ｃ和Ｄ分别的ＣＩＲ组（Ｐ＜０．０１）；睾丸组织雄激素结合蛋白（ＡＢＰ）水平，ＤＤＩＲ组显著高于Ｃ和Ｄ组（分别为Ｐ＜０．０５及Ｐ＜０．０１），其它组间比较差异不显著，培养支持细胞ＡＢＰ分泌量Ｄ组显著低于Ｃ和ＤＣＩＲ组（Ｐ＜０．０５），ｃＡＭＰ分泌量ＤＤＩＲ和Ｄ组显著低于Ｃ和ＤＣＩＲ组（Ｐ＜０．０１）。     

大鼠附睾尾部的精子参数与灌服昆明山海棠乙醇提取物后的改变及其抗生育效果观察

本文报告３７只Ｗｉｓｔａｒ成年大鼠附睾尾部的三项精子参数值及季节等因素对精子参数的影响，并与每日灌服昆明山海棠乙醇提取物ＴＨ５（１１６ｍｇ／ｋｇ）３０天后的２ｌ只大鼠的改变及生育力进行比较。结果表明：对照组大鼠左、右侧附睾尾部的三项精子参数值虽各不相等但无明显差异（Ｐ＞０．０５），与ＴＨ５组停药２０天后剖检的大鼠相比，上述各项精子参数值间有极显著差异（ｐ＜０．０１），且所有服药大鼠完全丧失生育力；对照组于４～６月剖检的大鼠其精子明显低于１～３和９～１２月剖检的大鼠；用于生殖研究的大鼠的体重＞４００ｇ或睾丸容积＞３．５ｍｌ、＜１．０ｍｌ均可对精子质量有不良影响；至于停服ＴＨ５７０天后剖检的大鼠，其精子参数值和生育力与对照组无异。     

睾丸内容物剜出术治疗前列腺癌临床疗效观察

采用睾丸内容物剜出术治疗晚期前列腺癌（Ｃ，Ｄ期）６１例（Ｉ组），并与２２例行睾丸切除术者（Ⅱ组）各抽取１０例进行比较，分别在术前３０ｍｉｎ和术后７ｄ早晨抽血行血清睾酮测定，结果：Ｉ组术后血清睾酮平均降低８．０１５７ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ，Ⅱ组平均降低７．９９４９ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ，两组比较无显著性差异（Ｐ〉０．０５），睾丸内容物剜出术后睾丸和附睾的质地，大小与术前相近，患者心理反应同术前，认为本术式效果确定，并发     

老年鼠睾丸糖皮质激素受体的变化

应用放射配体结合测定法，研究老年鼠睾丸糖皮质激素受体（ＧＲ）的变化。结果表明，老年鼠睾丸细胞液ＧＲ的最大结合容量（Ｒｏ）为４８．４３±１１．８７ｆｍｏｌ／ｍｇ蛋白，显著低于成年鼠的５９．６９±１２．７３ｆｍｏｌ／ｍｇ蛋白（Ｐ＜０．０１），ＧＲ的平衡解离常数（Ｋｄ）无显著性变化（Ｐ＞０．０５）。同时测定了血浆皮质醇、睾酮浓度及外周血白细胞ＧＲ的特异结合量（Ｒｓ）和睾丸细胞液磷脂酶Ａ２的含量，探讨了ＧＲ变化与衰老发生的关系。     

女性酒渣鼻患者血清睾酮、二醇和月经的关系

为了探讨女性酒渣鼻患者血清睾酮、雌二醇水平及月经周期改变情况，作者用放射免疫分析法测定了２５例患者及２０例正常对照者血清睾酮及雌二醇水平，并调查了２５０例患者及１００例正常对照者月经周期变化情况。结果显示，患者血清中睾酮的平均值为５．２７ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ，明显于对照组（ｔ＝２．９１，ｐ＜０．０１）。雌二醇平均值为５７４．６ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ，与对照组无明显差异（ｔ＝０．１１，ｐ＞０．０５）。患者月经紊乱率为６９．６％，明显高于对照组（χ２＝３５．５５，ｐ＜０．０１）。可见，女性酒渣鼻患者血清睾酮升高，雌二醇正常，且多伴月经周期紊乱。     

扶正抑癌汤在大肠癌术后治疗中的作用观察

目的：探讨扶正抑癌汤在大肠癌术后后续巩固治疗中的临床价值。方法：对３８例大肠癌术后患者采用扶正抑癌汤加化疗治疗（治疗组）,与３１例单纯化疗（对照组）进行对照。结果：治疗组患者体力状况好于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０１）,中位生存时间（３１．４月）长于对照组（１８．０月,Ｐ＜０．０１）;治疗组生存率高于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０５）;治疗组复发率（２１．０５％）低于对照组（４８．３％,Ｐ＜０．０５）;毒副反应发生率低于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０５或Ｐ＜０．０１）;治疗组治疗后免疫功能改善（Ｐ＜０．０５或Ｐ＜０．０１）。结论：扶正抑癌汤配合化疗在大肠癌术后巩固治疗中,其免疫调节、抑癌抗复发、延长生存期等作用优于单纯化疗     

人绒毛膜促性腺激素对小鼠睾丸、附睾表皮生长因子和睾酮的影响

为了探讨人绒毛膜促性腺激素 (h CG)与颌下腺、睾丸和附睾表皮生长因子(EGF)的相互调节机制 ,本研究对 ICR雄性小鼠在切除颌下腺和给予 h CG前后应用放射免疫方法测定睾丸和附睾 EGF变化以及睾丸和血清睾酮 (T)变化。结果 :去颌下腺后 ,睾丸 EGF和血清 T不降低 (P>0 .0 5 ) ,附睾 EGF明显增加 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,睾丸 T显著降低(P<0 .0 5 ) ;去颌下腺给药组与去颌下腺组相比 ,睾丸和附睾 EGF明显增加 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,睾丸 T明显增加 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,血清 T显著降低 (P<0 .0 5 )。假手术给药组与假手术组相比 ,睾丸和附睾 EGF明显增加 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,睾丸 T明显增高 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,血清 T不增加 (P<0 .0 5 )。假手术给药组与去颌下腺给药组相比 ,睾丸 EGF明显增加 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,附睾EGF明显降低 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,睾丸 T和血清 T均明显增加 (P<0 .0 5 )。结论 :(1 )睾丸与附睾均能产生 EGF。 (2 ) h CG可通过调节睾丸 T生物合成影响睾丸、附睾 EGF含量。 (3)颌下腺促进睾丸 T的生物合成。 (4 )颌下腺和 h CG调节睾丸、附睾 EGF合成的机制不同。     

Dexamethasone reduces acrosin activity of ram spermatozoa

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dexamethasone on acrosin activity of spermatozoa in Chios rams during autumn (breeding season for sheep in Greece), in correlation with possible changes in blood testosterone. Dexamethasone was administered in four equal consecutive intramuscular injections, one every four hours (total dose: 3 mg kg(-1)). Total acrosin activity was determined in semen samples collected 48 h before and on the 4th and 7th day and thereafter once every week until the 77th day after dexamethasone administration. Blood samples for testosterone radioimmunoassays were collected 24 h before, during dexamethasone administration and on the 4th, 7th, 14th and 21st day after administration. Total acrosin activity in spermatozoa was reduced between days 7-28 after dexamethasone administration. Dexamethasone also induced a reduction in mean value and basal level of blood testosterone and inhibited its episodic secretion between 1 and 4 days after administration. As the reduction of acrosin activity appeared relatively soon after dexamethasone administration (7th day), it is likely that the increased amount of dexamethasone did not influence the synthesis of proacrosin in the late spermatids. As glucocorticoid receptors exist in the epididymis and accessory glands in various species, dexamethasone may have a direct influence on the synthesis and/or release of acrosin inhibitors in epididymal fluid or seminal plasma. These changes in acrosin activity in ovine spermatozoa mediated by dexamethasone may be of importance regarding the role of stress in the reduction of sperm fertilizing ability.     

营养性肥胖对青春期雄性大鼠睾丸发育过程的影响

目的:探讨以高脂饲料配方建立的营养性肥胖大鼠模型对青春期雄性大鼠睾丸发育过程的影响。方法:21日龄雄性清洁级SD大鼠80只,断奶适应性饲养3 d后,随机分为对照组(n=32)和实验组(n=48)。以高脂饲料建立营养性肥胖动物模型。观察喂养后第3、4、5、6周末(即鼠龄为6、7、8、9周)大鼠体重、Lee's指数、睾丸重量、附睾重量的变化;全自动生化分析仪检测外周血甘油三酯(TG)和总胆固醇(TC);全自动微粒子化学发光免疫分析系统检测血清T、E2;HE染色观察睾丸发育的形态学改变。结果:高脂喂养的实验组大鼠在第3周末平均体重已明显增加(P<0.05),至第6周末,实验组大鼠较对照组超重达26.6%(P<0.01),Lee's指数也明显大于对照组(P<0.01);实验组大鼠第5、6周末的睾丸系数下降明显(P<0.05);实验组每周龄大鼠血清TG,TC水平均比对照组明显升高;实验组每周龄大鼠的T水平均明显低于对照组(P<0.05),E2水平在第3、4、5周虽低于对照组,而在第6周则呈现明显增加趋势,且显著高于对照组(P<0.01);光镜下可见实验组大鼠睾丸生精上皮细胞排列紊乱,细胞层次减少,成熟的精子数量较少。结论:高脂、高能量饮食可诱发青春期雄性大鼠营养性肥胖,随着肥胖程度的逐渐加重,可造成睾丸发育不全、睾丸生殖内分泌功能障碍。     

藏药鲁堆多吉水提物对雄性幼年大鼠生殖系统的影响

目的:研究藏药鲁堆多吉对雄性幼年大鼠生殖系统的影响。方法:将32只SD雄性幼年大鼠分为对照组、鲁堆多吉水提物低、中、高剂量组,灌胃2周后处死,用放射免疫法检测大鼠血清中睾酮(T)的含量,用ELISA试剂盒测量大鼠血清中LH和FSH的含量,称量大鼠的睾丸重量,计算体重增加量、睾丸脏器系数和精子浓度。将高剂量组大鼠血清在57℃水浴锅中灭活后,按0(对照组)、10%、15%、20%的体积分数加到培养的大鼠睾丸间质细胞中,分别用台盼蓝染色法和MTT检测细胞活率和活力,用放免法检测睾丸间质细胞培养液中T的含量,用大鼠环磷酸腺苷(cAMP)ELISA试剂盒检测睾丸间质细胞内cAMP的变化。结果:与对照组相比,低、中、高剂量的鲁堆多吉水提物能使幼年雄性大鼠的血清T水平[(1.22±0.32)、(1.06±0.29)、(0.57±0.18)nmol/L vs(3.09±0.42)nmol/L,P0.01]、睾丸重量[(0.96±0.09)、(0.92±0.11)、(0.91±0.08)g vs(1.40±0.16)g,P0.01]和精子浓度[(0.19±0.07)、(0.17±0.08)、(0.16±0.07)×106/ml vs(1.03±0.16)×106/ml,P0.01]显著降低,并且呈剂量依赖性。与对照组相比,中、高剂量给药组血清中的LH[(14.69±0.12)、(14.93±0.28)ng/L vs(13.62±0.89)ng/L,P0.01]、FSH[(4.77±0.23)、(4.89±0.38)IU/L vs(4.32±0.18)IU/L,P0.05]显著上升;睾丸脏器系数[(51.39±3.09)、(52.28±4.86)、(54.13±6.06)mg/10 g vs(42.22±3.02)mg/10 g,P0.01]显著提高。与对照组相比,鲁堆多吉水提物含药血清能显著抑制睾丸间质细胞内cAMP水平[(4.39±0.06)、(4.28±0.07)、(4.11±0.10)nmol/L vs(5.51±0.12)nmol/L,P0.01]和T的合成[(1.42±0.15)、(1.12±0.18)、(0.88±0.21)nmol/L vs(1.85±0.18)nmol/L,P0.01]。结论:鲁堆多吉水提物可能通过PKA途径抑制大鼠睾丸间质细胞中T的合成,从而抑制睾丸发育和精子生成,影响雄性幼鼠生殖系统的发育。     

Annexin5对雄性SD大鼠生殖相关指标和睾酮分泌的影响

目的 探讨膜联蚩白5(annexin5)对雄性SD大鼠体重、睾丸系数、附睾系数、精子相对计数和睾酮水平的影响.方法 给雄性SD大鼠腹腔注射3个不同剂量(7.5μg/kg、15μg/kg、30μg/kg)的annexin5,对照组腹腔汴射等晕的pH 8.0 Tris-HCI,1次/d,连续20d.分别称重对照组和实验组SD大鼠体重、睾丸、附睾,并对附睾尾进行精子计数.HE染色观察睾丸组织结构.运用化学发光法检测对照组和各实验组SD大鼠血清中睾酮浓度.结果 与对照组相比,15 μg/kg实验组大鼠附睾系数与精子相对计数均显著提高,分别提高了12.5%(131.8±9.6vs 117.2±5.9)(P<0.01)和31.4%(36.8±5.6vs 31.7±5.3)(P<0.05);其它剂量组与对照纰相比差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).HE染色显示各剂量实验组与对照组相比,睾丸的形态结构没有发牛明显改变.7.5 μg/kg组和15 μg/kg组大鼠血清睾酮含量显著高十对照组,分别提高了35.5%(36.33±3.89vs26.82±3.75)(P<0.01)和82.8%(49.04±5.17vs26.82±3.75)(P<0.01),30 μg/kg组大鼠睾酮含量虽也有升高,但与对照组比较,结果无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 腹腔注射annexin5能影响大鼠睾丸生精、附睾功能及睾酮水平,并与剂量有关.     

流式细胞术测定睾丸和附睾中生精细胞DNA含量

目的 :观察睾丸和附睾各段组织管腔内生精细胞DNA含量的变化。　方法 :利用流式细胞术 (FCM) ,对15例有生育能力、意外死亡的青年捐献者的右侧新鲜睾丸和附睾 (头、体、尾 )组织管腔内生精细胞的DNA含量进行测定。　结果 :从睾丸至附睾尾均存在单倍体 (1n)、二倍体 (2n)和四倍体 (4n) 3种细胞。 1n细胞由 (2 4 .87±7.2 8) %增至 (96 .33± 1.5 8) % ,其中睾丸至附睾每段之间的差异有极显著性 (P <0 .0 1) ,附睾体与附睾尾之间也有明显差别 (P <0 .0 5 )。 2n和 4n细胞的比例分别由 (6 3.0 7± 8.96 ) %、(9.4 3± 3.83) %下降至 (2 .4 7± 0 .93) %、(1.17± 0 .95 ) %。睾丸至附睾每段之间 2n细胞的比例差异有极显著性 (P <0 .0 1) ,附睾体与附睾尾之间也有明显差别(P <0 .0 5 ) ;除睾丸与附睾头之间的 4n细胞变化不明显外 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,其他各段之间的 4n细胞比例差异也有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。　结论 :未成熟生精细胞比例在附睾转运过程中逐渐减少     

The Effect of Non-Union of Testis and Epididymis and of Cryptorchidism on the Development of Epididymis and Ductus Deferens in the Rat/Der Einfluß der Separation von Hoden und Nebenhoden und des Kryptorchismus auf die Entwicklung von Nebenhoden und Ductus deferens bei der Ratte

16-days old rats were operated with either uni- or bilateral ligation of ductuli efferents and separation of testis and epididymis to the level of the inferior epididymal artery (non-union operation), induction of cryptorchidism or bilateral sham operation. The epididymides were weighed and the epididymides and deferent ducts were examined with light- and electron-microscopy at days 30, 37, 44 and 58. Bilateral non-union operated epididymides and cryptepididymides had a significantly lower weight increase than controls, but the histology and diameter of epididymal tubules were unchanged. This indicates a true growth retardation and reduced length of epididymal tubules of non-union operated and cryptepididymides. For bilateral operations a positive correlation was found between the weight of epididymis and plasma levels of total testosterone as reported earlier. Unilaterally operated epididymides had a weight development significantly below contralateral controls, despite normal plasma levels of testosterone. It is concluded that the reduced-weight of unilaterally operated epididymides is the result of diminished local androgen stimulation from the ipsilateral testis. Non-union of testis and epididymis may have pathogenetic significance in maldescent of testis by a retarded growth of the ductal system.     

Testosterone Levels in the Male Laboratory Rat: Variation under Experimental Conditions

This report describes the variation of testosterone (T) levels in male Wistar rats (250–300 g) bled under typical laboratory conditions. Plasma T in 114 rats ranged from 2–48 nmol/l (median 13.1: 95% confidence range, 10–15) and varied significantly ( P < 0.01) during the day (07.30-16.30 h) with an acrophase between 09.00 h and 13.00 h. The distribution of plasma T levels was skewed ( P < 0.05) and could be divided into basal values > 26 nmol/l and peaks > 26 nmol/l. Testosterone in testicular tissue and testis veins also varied during the day and was lower ( P ≤ 0.02) between 14.30 h and 16.30 h than from 11.30-13.30 h. It was shown that plasma T may differ significantly ( P ≤ 0.02) between groups (n = 6–7) of untreated rats bled under identical conditions and it is suggested that gonadotrophin stimulation be included in experimental designs to reduce the difficulty of differentiating between normal variability and treatment effects.     

The inhibitory effects on adult male reproductive functions of crude garlic (Allium sativum) feeding.

AIM: to investigate the effects of crude garlic on adult male rat reproductive functions. METHODS: Thirty male rats were divided into five groups: group 1 (untreated) and groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were fed for 30 days with 5%, 10%, 15% and 30% crude garlic, respectively. Testes and accessory organs were weighed and some markers were assessed. Light and electron microscopy observations were also performed. RESULTS: A significant decrease was observed in the body weight of groups 4 (14%; P < 0.01) and 5 (20%; P < 0.01); of the prostate weight in group 5 (29.1%; P < 0.05) and of seminal vesicle weight in groups 3 (14.4%; P < 0.01), 4 (18.3%; P < 0.01) and 5 (27.3%; P < 0.01). In contrast, testis and epididymis weights were unchanged. In epididymis tissue, the alpha glucosidase activity and the spermatozoa density were unchanged. The treatment resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone serum levels in groups 3 (77.3%; P < 0.01), 4 (77.3%; P < 0.01) and 5 (90.9%; P < 0.01), associated with a significant increase in LH serum levels (P < 0.01). Testicular histology showed a dose-dependent increase in the percentage of empty seminiferous tubules. Moreover, testicular function was affected; a significant decrease in phosphatase acid activity (P < 0.01) and testosterone (P < 0.05) contents were observed. CONCLUSION: Crude garlic consumption during 1 month reduced testosterone secretion and altered spermatogenesis at 10%, 15% and 30% doses.     

The ability of the rat epididymis to concentrate spermatozoa. Responsiveness to aldosterone

Experiments have been performed to determine if aldosterone is involved in the control of water reabsorption from the epididymal lumen in vivo. Micropuncture samples of lumen content were collected from the epididymides of control rats and those receiving aldrenalectomy, adrenalectomy + 25 micrograms aldosterone/day, 10 mg spironolactone/kg body weight/day, 10 mg spironolactone + 1 mg testosterone/kg body weight/day, 5 mg desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)/day, 50 micrograms aldosterone/day, or 0.1 ml vehicle alone. The treatment period was three days. Seminal vesicles weights and testis weights were obtained. Sperm concentrations (SEM) in the caput, corpus, and cauda epididymidis of normal rats were 0.75 +/- 0.05, 1.24 +/- 0.13, and 1.99 +/- 0.15 x 10(9) sperm/ml, respectively. Both inhibition and removal of aldosterone caused significant reduction (P less than .01) of intraluminal sperm concentrations. Sham treatment had no effect. Sperm concentrations were normal in animals receiving aldrenalectomy plus aldosterone replacement. It is concluded that water resorption in the rat epididymis is responsive to aldosterone.