444 



HOMEE WHEELON 



arrest of the testes associated with a lack of development, as a rule, means 

 absolute sterility without loss of virility. In such cases the spermatogenic 

 function is in abeyance, yet the production of an internal secretion de- 

 termines the masculine characters. A retained testicle which is otherwise 

 normal is not likely to atrophy before the period of puberty, hence, as a 

 matter of clinical practice, corrective measures should be undertaken, prior 

 to puberty, in order to prevent degeneration of the spermatogenic function 



X-JW 



Fig. 4. Section of cryptorchid pig testicle showing the interstitial cells surround- 

 ing a capillary. Some of the cells are homogeneous throughout, but some of them show 

 a dense endoplasm and a vacuolated ectoplasm containing definite granules. X 1>000. 

 Zenker's fluid, hematoxylin and eosin. (Hanes, 1911, Plate xxx (Fig. 1).) 



(Keyes, Corner, Eccles). If, however, complete sclerosis of the testes 

 occurs, or there is a complete suppression of the spermatic cord, the indi- 

 vidual is sterile and remains sexually undifferentiated (Griffiths, Eccles, 

 Hanes, Felizet and Branca). In such cases the penis remains small and 

 appears shrunken; hair about the pubes shows a feminine arrangement, 

 the pelvis retains the infantile type, and the larynx and voice remain as 

 in boys; occasionally the mammse show hypertrophy gynecomastia 

 (Ilammett).- 



Histological preparations of the cryptorchid pig testis, according to 

 the findings of Hanes and Rosenbloom, Eccles, and Whitehead, show the 

 presence of an excessive number of interstitial cells. These cells are 



