Effect of adrenalectomy on rat epididymidis.

AIM: To investigate the effect of adrenalectomy (ADX) on the epididymidis of Sprague-Dawley rats.

METHODS

The histological, biochemical (cholesterol protein, zinc, copper, alkaline and acid phosphatase aryl sulphatase, lactic dehydrogenase and leucine amino peptidase) and hormonal (FSH, LH and testosterone) changes of caput and cauda epididymis in ADX rats were observed.

RESULTS

Organ wet weight, histological studies and morphometric measurements indicated a cellular degeneration in caput and cauda epididymis of ADX rats. Serum testosterone level was significantly lower in ADX than in sham-operated rats, while the serum FSH and LH were below the detection limit of 1 mIU/mL. The enzymatic activity was higher in ADX than in sham-operated rats. Epididymal zinc level increased whereas copper level decreased in ADX rats compared to the sham-operated.

CONCLUSION

Adrenalectomy leads to degeneration of caput and cauda epididymidis epithelial cells as a result of decreased supply of testosterone.