Influence of adrenalectomy on maturation of gonadotrophin function in the male rat.

The effects were studied of adrenalectomy performed at 25 days of age on the maturation of LH function and the testes during puberty (i.e. 30-50 days of age) in the male rat. In intact rats the plasma LH level increased and then decreased and the plasma testosterone level increased progressively. In adrenalectomized rats the plasma levels of LH and testosterone did not vary significantly over the same period of time. Adrenalectomy decreased the plasma levels of LH and testosterone. The different perturbations in hormonal balance induced a decrease in the size of the seminiferous tubules and a delay in spermatogenesis.