Abstract
Summary
Feeding weanling male rats a diet free of essential fatty acid (EFA), containing 1% cholesterol, 2% sulfasuxidine, and 1% hydrogenated coconut oil for 3.5 months induced an EFA deficiency accompanied by severe testicular degeneration. The degeneration was partially corrected by supplementation with linoleate or linseed oil for 3 weeks. However, sperm were not found in the epididymis in any case. Trans isomers of linoleic acid were unable to induce recovery of the testis. The trans isomers inhibited growth, worsened the skin condition, and were found to be deposited in the animal fat.
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