Fine structure of mouse testes following intraperitoneal treatment with 5-thio-D-glucose.

The male antifertility compound, 5-thio-D-glucose, was administered to six groups of C3H/HeJ mice. Three groups received daily intraperitoneal injections of 40 mg/kg for 21, 28, and 35 days, respectively. The other three groups all received injections for 35 days, but were allowed to recover for 21, 42, and 75 days, respectively. The seminiferous tubules of the experimental and control mice were examined and compared with the electron microscope. Histological changes were noted as early as 21 days, with a complete cessation of sperm production by 35 days. The alterations included a reduction in the layers of the germinal epithelium, the formation of giant multinucleated cells, degeneration of germ cells, and the presence of cellular debris in the lumina of the tubules. Accumulation of lysosomes and a dramatic increase of small and large lipid droplets and vacuolar structures morphologically resembling residual bodies containing membranous elements and cellular debris were found in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm. A reinitiation of spermatogenesis was observed in the 21- and 42-days recovery groups. The testicular cells of the 75-day recovery group appeared essentially identical to those of the control animals and had an abundance of sperm.