[Studies on the endocrine and spermiogenic functions of testes. I. Relationship between the quality of dietary protein and testosterone content in testicular tissue of pubertal rats]

Abstract

Growing, male Wistar rats were fed for 21 days one of four qualitatively different proteins, as follows: 1. casein and 4% methionine (group K) 2. maize meal and amino acid supplement (group M + As) 3. maize meal alone (group M) 4. casein plus 4% of a 1:3 mixture of methionine and gelatin (group K/G) (These rations constitute a decreasing range of biological activity of the diet.) After 21 days of feeding these rations, the testosterone content per 100 g body weight averaged 80 ng in groups K and M + As, compared with 8 ng in groups M and K/G. Body weight increment averaged 48 g in group K, 40 g in group M + As, 19 g in group M and -9g in group K/G. Total testicular mass averaged 1658, 1730, 1485 and 641 mg in the four groups, respectively.