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Testicular Hypoplasia and Epididymal Cysts in the Syrian Hamster

1948; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 162; Issue: 4112 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/162297a0

1476-4687

Humberto Granados, Henrik Dam,

Adipose Tissue and Metabolism

WE have observed certain definite changes in the testes of some inbred hamsters. These changes are characterized by a striking testicular hypoplasia, mostly bilateral. Such testes, represented sometimes by structures which are almost invisible to the naked eye, appeared very pale, with an apparent lack of normal vascularization. Their individual weight was only 2–306 mgm., as compared with a testicular weight of 0·900–1·400 gm. in the normal hamster. However, we have observed fertile animals the individual testes of which weighed only 0·580 gm. The hamsters with bilateral hypoplasia were, without exception, sterile. On the other hand, the animals with unilateral hypoplasia proved to be fertile. No relationship was found between the hypoplasia and the growth-rate or mature weight of the animals. Although we have also observed hypoplasia of the ovaries and sterility in some females, our data in this respect are inconclusive.