The Effect Of Immunization Against Testosterone On Reproductive Hormone Secretion And Testicular Growth In Male Rabbits

The objective was to determine the effects of active immunization against T-3-BSA on reproductive hormone secretion and testicular growth in Chinchilla male rabbit. 40 rabbits were allocated into 5 groups. Group 1 was treated with T-3-BSA on the dose of 2ml(2mg/ml) at the 16,20 weeks of age. Group 2.3.4 were treated with 2ml T-3-BSA but at different concentrations (2,4,8mg/ml respectively) at the 12,16 weeks of age. The control group was treated with 2ml(4mg/ml) bovine serum albumin (BSA) ' me at the 12,16 weeks of age. Body weight was measured every two weeks from the 10 weeks of age to slaughter. Morphology and histology of the testes were observed. Blood samples were collected at the 13,17,21,25 weeks of age. Serum concentration of Testosterone (T), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH) were detected to study the possible mechanism how T affect the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. And T's physiology effects on body growth and testicular development in male rabbits.The results of the experiment showed that serum concentration of T was much lower in the immunized groups than those in the controlled group. It was 10(14) weeks after the primary immunization when all the rabbits were slaughtered. Testicular development was found inhibited. Both its weight and size after immunization were less than the control group. The change in testicular histology showed immunization would cause atrophy in testicular tubule. Serum concentration of LH was much lower in theimmunized groups than those in the control group. While no significant differences were seen in FSH. Its concentration in the serum always maintained at a certain level. Body weights of the immunized groups were far below the control group, but the inhibitory effects on body growth weakened with time prolong. All the immunized groups proved different inhibitory effects on the concentration of serum testosterone and the growth of testes. From the comparison among group 2,3,4, it was conclude that the dose of antigen was an important factor in deciding the results. From the comparison among group 1 and 2, it was conclude that physical state of the injection was another factor in deciding the immunization effects. Group2 showed the best immunization performance, with its inhibitory effects on T concentration long and stable.