Influence of hypertensive vascular changes in intratesticular arteries on spermatogenesis in SHRSP.

1. The process of the spermatogenetic damage induced by hypertensive vascular changes was studied with stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). 2. In SHRSP, hypertensive changes in intratesticular arterioles developed from 19 weeks of age. 3. At 23 weeks of age, a severe reduction in the number of mature and immature spermatids was observed. 4. The transferrin concentration in testicular cytosol was decreased at 23 weeks of age, suggesting that Sertoli cell function in SHRSP had regressed. 5. In conclusion, it was suggested that the decline in Sertoli cell function as a result of hypertensive vascular changes is part of the mechanism whereby spermatogenic damage occurs in SHRSP.