Vitamin a deficiency induced histological and histochemical alterations in the testis of rats

In order to seek some explanatory evidence for the possible endocrine and/or biochemical correlation for vitamin A deficiency induced testicular lesion sin rats, detailed histopathological chanes and histochemical alterations in the localisation of lipids and distribution of steroid dehydrogenases and phosphomonoestrases have been studied in Charles Foster strain of male rats maintained on a vitamin A deficient diet for 5 weeks. Experimental rats depicted significant testicular size reduction and extensive pathological alterations affecting both the shape and size of the seminiferous tubules as well as degenerative changes involving germ cells. Alterations in sertoli cell cytology and hyperamia and oedema were also noted. Histochemically the tubules were marked by increased lipid accumulation and intense 17-ß-HSDH activity with reduced phosphomonoestrase activity. The intensity and activity pattern of phosphomonoestrases were both altered in vitamin A deficient rats. Another noticeable change was the loss of 3-ß-HSDH activity from the tubules. Both histologically and histochemically, the interstitial cells did not show any noticeable alterations. These changes have been taken to indicate the possibility of increased steroid catabolism and reduced androgen retention within the tubules alongwith functional break down of the blood-testis barrier, all of which together could provide the causal explanation for the testicular dysfunction associated with vitamin A deficiency.