COMPARISON OF THE SPERMATOGENIC AND ANDROGENIC PROPERTIES OF TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE WITH THOSE OF PITUITARY ICSH IN HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED 40-DAY OLD MALE RATS

Abstract

THE ANTERIOR pituitary control of the reproductive system of the male has commonly been assumed to be exercised through the combined action of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH). The interstitial tissue (or Leydig tissue) of the testis, and hence indirectly the accessory reproductive organs, were assumed to be stimulated by ICSH, and the germinative components of the testicular tubules by FSH. The injection of folliclestimulating extracts_especially the more purified FSH_has, however, failed to give adequate tubular stimulation to support this concept; likewise, the addition of FSH to pure ICSH has not given the amount of augmentation anticipated. More disturbing still was the discovery of Walsh, Cuyler and McCullagh (1934), since repeatedly confirmed, that testosterone could stimulate the germinal epithelium of the male.