Modification of the testicular function in laboratory male mice during social interactions: effect of female presence.

The count of spermatozoa in both caudal epididymides, percentage of abnormal spermatozoon heads and of mobile spermatozoa, body weight, weights of the testes and caudal epididymides were evaluated in adult inbred males (PT and CBA/Lac) kept with females for 5 days. Male mice of the same genotypes and age separated from females served as controls. In males kept with females, the weights of the testes increased in PT male mice, the percentage of rapidly mobile spermatozoa increased in CBA/Lac mice, and body weights decreased in males of both genotypes. The morphometric and spermatogenic parameters in laboratory mice were modulated by the presence of a female, but the effect was determined by the male genotype.