Abstract
Summary
Spermatozoa and testosterone production by testes of 6, 12, 24, and 36 month old rabbits were quantified. Testosterone secretion decreased significantly with age when testes were perfused with an artificial medium containing exogenous gonadotropic hormones. Total daily sperm production reached a peak at 24 months and declined significantly by 36 months of age. The fact that sperm production increases through 24 months of age indicates that testosterone secretion is adequate to maintain spermatogenesis. The decreased daily sperm production coincident with reduced testosterone secretion by perfused testes between 24 and 36 months is suggestive of a cause effect relationship.
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