Effects of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on the regressed testes of the snake Enhydris enhydris (Schneider)

Abstract

Administration of FSH (1IU/day) to the snake Enhydris enhydris for 14, 28 and 42 days resulted in increase in diameter of the seminiferous tubules of the regressed testes. Proliferation of spermatogonia and increase in abundance of primary spermatocytes were also observed. But the treatment failed to induce the spermatogenic cells to meiotic division. The interstitial cells in the testes between control and FSH-treated snakes did not show any difference. The failure to complete the process of spermatogenesis after FSH treatment indicates that role by a second hormone is necessary for the completion of spermatogenic process. The second hormone may be either LH or androgen.