Osmotic stress, plasma renin activity, and spermatogenesis in Vipera aspis

B. Uva, P. Ghiani, M. A. Masini, A. Mandich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Circulating electrolytes (Na+, K+), plasma renin-like activity, testosterone, and testis morphology were investigated in early summer during the spermatogenic progressive phase in Vipera aspis subjected to sodium loading and sodium depletion. After sodium loading, plasma sodium and plasma testosterone levels were significantly elevated compared with those of controls, while plasma renin-like activity was depressed, spermiogenesis was increased, the epithelium lining the epididymis was very thick, and the Leydig cells were hypertrophied. After sodium depletion, plasma sodium and plasma testosterone levels were significantly depressed and plasma renin-like activity was significantly elevated. Spermiogenesis seemed to be slightly regressed: the epithelium lining the epididymis was very thin, and the lumen was devoid of spermatozoa. The Leydig cells were hardly visible. All the data strongly suggest that osmotic stress affects gonadal activity in the snake. V. aspis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)400-407
Number of pages8
JournalGeneral and Comparative Endocrinology
Volume68
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 1987
Externally publishedYes

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