Estrogenic inhibition of testicular growth by R2858 in preweanling rats.

Daily injections of physiologic doses of R2858 into preweanling rats from the 10th to the 19th day of age resulted in reduced testicular growth compared to controls. Body weights and other organ weights were unaffected. Leydig cells were smaller and less numerous, and showed distinct changes in ultrastructural morphology. Results of this study suggest that alpha-fetoprotein permits normal testicular development during postnatal life.