[An experimental study of the influence of external factors on spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis of Nectophrynoides occidentalis Angel (author's transl)].

We have studied the influence of external factors of the natural habitat on spermatogenesis and metabolisation of testosterone by the testis of N. occidentalis. The factors chosen were: frequency of feeding, atmospheric humidity and day-light ratio. The temperature was constant at 20 degrees C +/- 2. 10 During normal underground life testicular activity was low, but forced feeding and saturated atmospheric humidity induced spermatogenetic activity. The rate of metabolized testosterone was not altered by any factor. 20 During the active period of this species the feeding factor introduced significant modifications to active spermatogenesis and testosterone metabolism. Spermatogenesis of half-starved males was greatly disturbed and the rate of transformed testosterone decreased.