CHAPTER XXV 



EFFECTS ON THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT 



The effects of inanition upon the reproductive tract in the male are somewhat 

 less obvious than those in the female, but equally important. Conditions of 

 severe malnutrition may cause complete suppression of spermatogenesis, but 

 fortunately the spermatogonia survive to renew the process upon the reestablish- 

 ment of nutrition. The observations on the effects of inanition upon the male 

 reproductive tract have been chiefly confined to the testis, with a few scattered 

 data upon the accessory organs, epididymis, prostate, seminal vesicles, etc. 

 After a brief summary, the results will be considered in detail under (.4) total 

 inanition and (B) partial inanition. 



Summary of Effects on the Male Reproductive Tract 



In general, the testes, like the ovaries, are very susceptible to the effects of 

 inanition. The changes are variable according to age and species, as well as in 

 different types of inanition. 



During total inanition (or on water only) in adult man the decrease in weight 

 of the testis usually appears roughly proportional to that of the body; while in 

 lower forms (mammals and especially birds and amphibia) the loss is usually 

 even greater. The same applies to some forms of partial inanition, especially 

 in beriberi and aqueous inanition, though apparently not as a rule in rickets and 

 scurvy, in which the testes may even increase in weight. 



As to age differences, in the atrophic human infant there appears a variable 

 degree of atrophy in the testis; but in other species (mammals, amphibia) 

 the testis appears more resistant and at certain stages may even show a marked 

 increase in weight while growth in body weight is repressed by inanition. This is 

 comparable to the striking metamorphosis of the gonads in the fasting migratory 

 salmon, and possibly in other species. 



In structure, the effects of inanition upon the testis are equally striking. 

 In the young, development is retarded or inhibited. In the adult, there is a 

 progressive atrophy of the seminiferous tubules, with degenerative changes and 

 decreased or (in extreme cases) completely arrested spermatogenesis. There is 

 great variation in different tubules, some remaining more nearly normal and 

 continuing spermatogenesis, while others undergo marked degeneration. Even 

 in the same tubule, there is a notable difference in the resistance of the various 

 cell-elements. In general, the spermatozoa are least resistant, and are the first 

 to degenerate and disappear. Next come the spermatids and spermatocytes, 

 which persist longer. Most resistant are the spermatogonia and Sertoli cells, 

 which usually persist, often fused into a syncytium, and upon refeeding are able 



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