Gonadotrophin Changes in Male Rats Following a Sterilizing Dose of α-Chlorohydrin

A single oral sterilizing dose of α-chlorohydrin (80 mg/kg) produced obstructive retention cysts in the caput epididymis and ductuli efferentes of the male rat with resultant destruction of the spermatogenic epithelium. The weights of androgen dependent organs other than the epididymidis were not changed by the treatment, suggesting that androgen secretion was not impaired. Serum prolactin was elevated for several weeks after α-chlorohydrin possibly correlated with a diuretic action. LH secretion was unchanged for 4 days, significantly elevated at 7 days, then slowly declined to normal, a result which could not be correlated with the other endocrine changes. Serum FSH was significantly elevated by day 4 and remained high for the period of the experiment. The results support the idea of separate controlling mechanisms for LH and FSH secretion. The rapid and persistent rise in FSH supports the view that a hormonal factor (inhibin) is normally produced by the seminiferous epithelium. The possibility that inhibin is normally absorbed via the epididymis and in these experiments fails to reach the systemic circulation because of the epididymal lesion is discussed.