Ultrastructural observation on influence of gossypol on the hormone-secreting cells of pituitary-testis axis of rats

Abstract

After 8 weeks of administration of gossypol (30 mg/kg/day for 6 days/week) to Wistar rats, the following changes in gonadotropic hormon (GTH) cells were observed by electron microscopic examination: slight to medium enlargement of rough endoplasmic reticulum and more apparent development of Golgi complexes in the cytoplasm. These findings suggested an enhanced secretory function. Moreover, increase of ring-shaped mitochondria, increase of lipid droplets and lysosomes, enlargement of smooth endoplasmic reticula and appearance of intracytoplasmic gaps in Sertoli cells were noted. However, no significant changes could be seen in Leydig cells.

Keywords

gossypol / pituitary-testis axis / gonadotropic cells / Sertoli cells / Leydig cells

References

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