Effect of Scrotal Heating on Testicular Enzymes and Spermatogenesis in the Rat

Abstract

Immersion of the scrotal testis of the rat in water at 42°C for 30 min caused rapid damage to pachytene primary spermatocytes in stages 1, 2, 3, and occasionally 8 of the seminiferous epithelium. There was cytoplasmic chromophilia with eosin or Alcian blue and binding of the fluorescent dye 2-p-toluidinylnapthalene-6-sulphonate to the cell membranes. Rapid dissolution of damaged cells occurred and most had disappeared by 28 hr after heating. Early round spermatids also showed nuclear changes with vacuolation and the development of "signet ring" nuclei.