Role of ACTH on the cytomorphology of testes of the immature rat.

The male gametogenic development of the immature rat shows inhibitory effect by the exogenous infusion of ACTH (0.25 IU and 0.50 IU; i.p.). Seminiferous tubular degeneration, Leydig cell atrophy and Sertoli cell regression are very conspicuous in the dosage of 0.50 IU ACTH (i.p.). Cytometrical and histological evidence confirms that ACTH could be inhibited by FSH during male gametogenic development which leads to cellular degeneration of testes in the immature rat.