Effect of spermatic cord phenolization on the spermatogenetic and secretory activities of adult rat testes.

We evaluated the effect of testicular denervation on the spermatogenetic and secretory activities of the adult rat testis. Testes were denervated by applying 20% (v/v) phenol to the spermatic cord and measurements were made 30 days thereafter. There was an increase in the frequency of stages VII-VIII of the seminiferous epithelium cycle, indicating an increase in the relative amount of mature elongated spermatids present in the seminiferous tubules. The frequency of stage XIV remained unchanged, suggesting that the rate of reductional divisions was constant. A decrease in the nuclear volume of Leydig cells paralleled increased plasma LH and testosterone levels. The results are discussed in terms of a possible role of phenol-sensitive neural elements which affect testicular spermatogenetic and secretory functions.