CHANGES OF THE STRUCTURE AND LIPID METABOLISM IN RAT TESTICLES UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF COD-LIVER OIL

Abstract

The rat testicles were examined with morphologic and biochemical methods in 1,3,6 and 12 months after adding the cod-liver oil to food mixture on the basis of 0,1 g/kg of body weight. After cod-liver oil use within 1-3 months, some degenerative changes of the spermatozoa and spermatids came to light at 8-12 per cent of convoluted seminiferous tubules. The cholesterol concentration has reduced almost by 20 per cent, and the phospholipid content of the lipid extract of testicles has increased by 16 per cent. Drug application within 6-12 months has resulted in lesion of spermato-cytes and spermatogones at 30-60 per cent of tubules, in increase of the testicle cholesterol level, in fatty degeneration of some part of gametes. Moreover, it was noted that differentiated elements of sper-matogenic epithelium of convoluted seminiferous tubules suffered to a greater extent that, possibly, had been brought about by retinol high doses coming into organism along with cod-liver oil.