[Basal study of exocrine testicular function in rats].

There is currently no existing methodology for evaluating normal exocrine function in the healthy rat. Consequently, most of the experimental studies that have been conducted are incomplete. For this reason, we developed an experimental model to investigate the testicular exocrine function using spermatozoa obtained from the tail of the epididymis of male rats of different ages. The methodology is described and the results obtained relative to sperm count, survival time, percent mobile/immobile spermatozoa and presence of abnormal forms are presented and compared with the data from experimental studies using electroejaculation techniques. Similarly, the advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed. In our view, the methodology described herein can also be utilized in other laboratory animals.