Seminiferous epithelial function in the pubertal rat following local testicular irradiation.

The dose- and time-related responses of the irradiated seminiferous epithelium in the pubertal rat have been investigated. The threshold dose for Sertoli cell dysfunction, as assessed by serum androgen binding protein (ABP) concentrations, was estimated to be 5 Gy. A significant reduction (to less than 50% of control levels) in serum ABP was observed at 8 weeks post-irradiation, with further reductions at later times (24 and 36 weeks). Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was elevated to between 130 and 175% of control at only 2 weeks post-irradiation, but recovered with time. Normal FSH levels seemed to be related to recovery of spermatogenesis, as assessed by counts of regenerating tubule cross-sections. The results indicate that the clonogenic spermatogonia and Sertoli cells of the pubertal rat testis are less sensitive to radiation than those of the adult.