Abstract
In agreement with other authors, it was found that the hypophysis of the male albino rat increased in size as a result of castration.
As seen in the table, by means of the paper weight method on serial sections, it was found that this increase in size is due solely to an increase in size of the pars anterior. Pars posterior and pars intermedia are practically identical in absolute weight in the control and test animals.
Large, vacuolated basophilic cells typical of those described as “castration cells” or “signet ring cells” were found in the glands of the test animals.
Allowing the epididymis to remain intact did not alter the results from total castration, either volumetrically or histologically.
A significant decrease in the body weight, and body length of the castrated animals was also found.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
