Effect of chronic administration of inhibin and testosterone on spermatogenesis in adult male rats

Abstract

Inhibin (Inh) and testosterone (T) were administered to adult male rats for 32 days to evaluate their effect on spermatogenesis. Fifty micrograms of Inh was injected subcutaneously twice daily, and T was administered as Silastic implants 2.5 cm in length. Weights of testes and epididymides were significantly decreased in (Inh + T)- and T-treated groups, but not in Inh-treated rats. Although Inh alone could suppress both the testicular and the epididymal sperm count, maximum suppression was observed in the (Inh + T)-treated group. The effect on the epididymal sperm count, however, was pronounced. The accessory organ weights remained unaffected in all treated groups. Chronic administration of Inh and T results in partial impairment of spermatogenesis.