The changes in cell morphology and histochemistry of the testis following irradiation and their relation to other induced testicular changes.

Abstract

Evidence is presented to show that a dose of 1,440 r does not destroy all the germinal elements at any time; there is a sequence for radiation reaction from gonium to sperm, and there is an eventual reduction of production. In comparison to 300 r, it is indicated that a single dose of 1,440 r further reduces the frequency of the appearance of the germinal cells and delays the time of recovery for spermatogonia and spermatocytes. There is also less evidence of numerical variation in the spermatogonia and spermatocytes and less marked peaks and depressions in the figures. An acute dose of 5,050 r destroys all the germinal elements, but all these elements do not disappear at the same time. The gonia disappear first, followed by the spermatocytes, spermatids, and sperm. Once each of the types of germinal elements starts to disappear, the rate is approximately the same, regardless of the dose. The degree of injury is relative to the magnitude of the dose. No marked pathological change was noted in cells or tissues other than in the true germinal cells.