Summary
The effect of BCG-induced orchitis on the structure of the seminiferous tubules in rats and rabbits was investigated by light and electron microscopy. The formation of cavities between Sertoli cells and the displacement of the cells of the spermatogenic cycle are the earliest changes to be observed. Individual Sertoli cells degenerate and separate from spermatocytes and spermatids. The latter form multinuclear complexes by a broadening of the intercellular bridges. The nuclei of spermatids undergo ring-like chromatin condensation in the rat and swelling in the rabbit. After the loss of spermatocytes and spermatids from the germinal epithelium, the remaining Sertoli cells have a very irregular shape and contain many residual bodies, which are probably derived from previously phagocytosed spermatids. They often contain crystalline inclusions. The nuclei of Sertoli cells show small chromatin condensations. In the rabbit, the tubular wall increases considerably in diameter. In the vicinity of a granuloma in the interstitium caused by BCG inflammatory cells accumulate around the wall of the seminiferous tubules. Although the basal lamina seems to be an obstacle, penetration of macrophages into the tubular lumen could be observed. However, this occurred only after the degeneration of the germinal epithelium.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Benitz KF, Dambach G (1965) The toxological significance of multinucleated giant cells in dystrophic testes of laboratory animals and man. Arzneim Forsch 15:391–404
Bustos-Obregon (1976) Ultrastructure and function of the lamina propria of mammalian semiferous tubules. Andrologia 8:179–185
Dym M, Fawcett DW (1971) Further observations on the number of spermatogonia, spermato cytes and spermatides connected by intracellular bridges in the mammalian testis. Biol Reprod 4:195–215
Dym M, Raj HGM, Chemes HE (1977) Response of the testis to the selective withdrawal of LH or FSH using antigonadotropic sera. In: Troen P, Nank HE (eds) The testis in normal and infertile men. Raven, New York pp 97–124
Ellis LC (1970) Radiation effects. In: Johnson AD, Gomes WR, Van Demark NL (eds). The testis, vol III: influencing factors. Academic Press, New York, pp 333–376
Fawcett DW (1975) Ultrastructure and function of the Sertoli cell. In: Hamilton DW, Greep RO (eds) Handbook of physiology, vol. V. Am Physiol Soc, Washington DC pp 7, 21–55
Gravis CJ, Chen I, Yates RD (1977) Stability of the intraepithelial component of the blood-testis barrier in epinephrine-induced testicular degeneration in Syrian hamster. Am J Anat 148:19–31
Hagenäs L, Plöen L, Ritzen EM, Ekwall H (1977) Blood-testis barrier: Maintained function of inter-Sertoli cell functions in experimental cryptorchidism in the rat, as judged by a simple lanthanum immersion technique. Andrologia 9:3–7
Hagenäs L, Plöen L, Ritzen EM (1977) The effect of nitrofurazone on the endocrine, secretory and spermatogenic function of the rat testis. Andrologia 7:1–22
Holstein AF (1975) Morphologische Studien an a bnormen Spermatiden and Spermatozoen des Menschen. Virchows Arch A 367:93–112
Mancini RE (1976) Immunological aspects of testicular function. In: Gross F et al. (eds) Monographs on endocrinology. Springer, Berlin-Heidelberg New York
Mikuz G (1978) Orchitis. Morphologische und funktionelle Untersuchungen bei Versuchstieren und beim Menschen. In: Bargmann W, Doerr W (eds) Normal and pathological anatomy, 36. Thieme, Stuttgart
Neumann F, Schenk B (1978) Pharmakologische Beeinflussung der Spermatogenese. In: Senge Th, Neumann F, Schenck B (eds) Physiologie und Pathophysiologie der Hodenfunktion. Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, pp 105–131
Nykänen M (1979) Fine structure of the transitional zone of the rat seminiferous tubule. Cell Tissue Res 198:441–454
Parvinen LM, Parvinen M (1978) A “living cell method” for testing the early effects of antispermatogenic compounds: Model experiments with two alkylating agents, Thio Tepa and nitrogen mustard. In: Hansson V, Ritzen M, Purvis K, French KS (eds) Endocrine approach to male contraception. Transactions of the 5th annual workshop on the testis. Scriptor, Copenhagen, pp 523–537
Talwar GP, Naz RK, Das DC, Das RP (1979) A practical immunological approach to block spermatogenesis without loss of androgen. Proc Soc Natl Acad Sci USA 76:5882–5885
Tedde G, Pala AM, Tedde-Piras A, Giunti M, Succi A (1973) Structural and ultrastructural observations of the rat testicles in experimental allergic orchitis. Acta. Eur Fertil 4, 1:31–35
Torgersen HM, Rovan E, Steiner M, Frick J, Adam H (1981) the use of BCG (bacterium Calmette-Guerin) as an antispermatogenic agent. Structural and hormonal changes. J Andrology
Tung P S, Fritz JB (1978) Histophatoholigical changes in testes or Sertoli Cells. In: Hansson V, Ritzen M, Purvis K, French FS (eds) Endocrine approach to male contraception. Transactions of the 5th annual workshop in the testis, pp 459–481
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Torgersen, H.M., Rovan, E., Steiner, M. et al. BCG-induced orchitis: Structural changes during the degeneration of seminiferous tubules of rats and rabbits. Urol. Res. 10, 97–104 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00262411
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00262411