INTERNAL SECRETION OF TESTICLE 127 



that the interstitial cells have an endocrine function. We shall 

 deal with these experiments in the following sections of this 

 chapter, as well as with some of the clinical observations, 

 leaving the others over for consideration in Chapters IX. and X. 

 It may be pointed out here, however, that there are discre- 

 pancies between the views of the various authors in regard to 

 the endocrine functions of the testicles, those who have studied 

 the question experimentally usually holding the view that the 

 endocrine function resides in the interstitial cells, while those 



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V 



t 



V 't 





' <i 



'- " ^ ^r i^^ls 







i^ ' "S?- 



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^\ *^ /s "- '^^ <: T, ^ '"' " - ^ • * . 



Fig. 60. — Section through testicle of adult guinea pig, x 400, Complete 

 spermatogenesis; interstitial cells surrounding capillaries. — From Bouin 

 and Ancel. 



who have based their position on pathological observations 

 are disposed to regard the germinative cells as those which 

 elaborate the hormone. 



2. The Ligature of the Vas Deferens. 



We owe the first information concerning the function of the 

 interstitial cells of the testicle to Bouin and Ancel, who 

 ligatured the vasa deferentia in dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs. 

 Bouin and Ancel (1903 a, 1904 f, g) recorded that spermato- 

 genesis ceases some time after the ligature is made (Figs. 60, 61), 

 whereas the cells of Sertoli and the interstitial cells survive. 

 The interstitial tissue may even increase. As there are no 

 signs of castration in the sexual characters in animals whose 



