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1 Northwest Center for Medical
Education, Indiana University School of
Medicine, Gary, Indiana
The reproductive system of male obese Zucker
rats was studied to determine whether there
are abnormalities in testis composition, organ
weights, or sperm motility, which might contribute to their severely reduced reproductive capacity. The left testes of obese and lean rats
were evaluated histomorphometrically according to Chalkley's method (1943). Relative to
weight, the percentage of seminiferous
tubules, interstitial space, and Leydig cells of
fat rats did not differ significantly from those of
their lean littermates. The weights of the testes
and accessory glands were not significantly
different in fat versus lean groups. Sperm recovered from the testes and head and tail of the
epididymides showed no differences between
fat and lean rats in the percentage classified as
immobile, oscillatory, circularly moving, or forwardly progressing. These findings suggest
that the testes of obese Zucker rats have a
normal composition of seminiferous tubules
and interstitial cells and a normal pattern of
maturation of motility as sperm pass through
the reproductive tract. The severely reduced
reproductive capacity of the obese male may
be primarily due to the previously reported abnormal sexual behavior. It is not due to an inability to produce motile spermatozoa.
Key words: Zucker rat, testis, sperm
Submitted on October 20, 1980
Revised on January 26, 1981
Accepted on February 3, 1981
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