Reduction of spermatogonia and testosterone in rat testes flown on Space Lab-3The effects of space flight on rat testes were investigated. The weight, spermatogonial cell count, and testosterone levels in six rats flown on Space Lab-3 were measured. It is observed that compared to ground control rats the average weight loss was 7.1 percent and the spermatogonial cell count decreased by 7.5 percent. The data reveal that the testosterone level for large control rats was 9.13 ng/ml and 0.31 ng/ml for flight rats; and 2.54 ng/ml and 0.233 ng/ml for smaller control and flight rats, respectively. It is noted that spermatogenesis and testosterone production are reduced during spaceflight.
Document ID
19880023716
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Philpott, Delbert E. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Stevenson, J. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Black, S. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Sapp, W. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Williams, C. (Tuskegee Institute AL, United States)