Effect of preweaning undernutrition on testicular development in male mice.

Testicular development was evaluated in male mice subjected to undernutrition from birth to weaning (20 days) by separating pups from their mothers. Underfed and normally fed animals were sacrificed every 10 days from 20 to 60 days. From 20 to 60 days, body and testes weights were significantly lower in underfed males. In undernourished males, the establishment of spermatogenesis and the appearance of mature Leydig cells were delayed. The maximal production of testosterone by the testis of underfed males occurred later and was 50% lower than that of controls. The data shows that despite the hypoandrogenic state induced by undernutrition, puberty occurred and spermatogenesis was preserved.