Effects of  -Chlorohydrin and Gonadectomy on the Adenohypophysial Cells of Male Rats and Gerbils

Abstract

Alpha-chlorohydrin (3-chlor-1,2 propanediol) possesses antifertility properties when administered to male rats, hamsters, guinea-pigs, rams and monkeys (Ericsson, 1968; Ericsson & Norland, 1970). The compound is thought to exert its action on the epididymis (Gunn, Gould & Anderson, 1969;Samojlik & Chang, 1970). Coppola (1969) andGunn et al. (1969) suggested that \ g = a \ \ x = r e q -\ chlorohydrin might act as a metabolic antagonist to glycerol in phospholipid metabolism and the compound has also been shown to act as an alkylating agent in vitro (Jones, Davies, Edwards & Jackson, 1969).The effects of \g=a\-chlorohydrin on the adenohypophysis have not so far been reported. The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the cytological changes occurring in the gonadotrophic cells of the anterior lobe of the pituitary in male rats and gerbils after the administration of \g=a\-chlorohydrin, with those changes following bilateral gonadectomy.The \g=a\-chlorohydrin(sp. gr. 1\m=.\326) was supplied by Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 0\m=.\25% aqueous ( 1\ m=. \ 3 g/ml) methylcellulose. A working solution was prepared by diluting the stock solution with distilled water.Thirty adult male gerbils (Meriones hurrianae) and thirty male rats were allotted to six groups of ten each. The drug was given orally, the gerbils receiving 20 mg/kg/day for 50 days and the rats, 25 mg/kg/day for 24 days. An equal number of controls received distilled water. The animals were killed 24 hr after administration of the final dose and various organs were removed, weighed and fixed. Pituitaries were fixed in Halmi's Susa (Susa: saturated picric acid, 9:1 v/v), processed, sectioned at 5 µ and stained with periodic acid Schiff (PAS)-orange G-methyl blue, and Cleveland-Wolfe trichromie stains. Differential cell counts were made in the sections stained with ClevelandWolfe trichromie stain.The investigations revealed that administration of -chlorohydrin to adult male gerbils and rats was associated with a decrease in the weights of the testes and accessory sex glands (Table 1 ) and inhibited spermatogenesis (unpublished observations). A significant decrease in thymus weight was also noted (gerbil, 36-6%; rat, 38-5%), but there was no significant influence on the adrenal and thyroid weights.Although the general structure of the normal rat pituitaries is well known, that of the gerbil is less familiar. The gland consists of three distinct parts : pars 185

Inhibition of Spermatogenesis in House Rat (Rattus rattus Rufescens) Following the Administration of α-Chlorohydrin

“…a-Chlorohydrin brings about transient changes resulting those of castration in the anterior lobe of the pituitary of male rats and gerbils (Dixit et al -1974). Acceptance, potency and biological effectiveness makes a-chlorohydrin a worthy compound for practical consideration in controlling house rat population in human dwellings.…”