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Testicular Atrophy after Bile Duct Ligation in Chickens

Abstract

Testicular atrophy associated with biliary obstruction in chickens, produced by the ligation of both extrahepatic bile ducts, was examined grossly, histologically, immunohistochemically, and ultrastructurally. Grossly, reduction in testicular size and volume was evident in chickens that underwent bile duct ligation (BDL). Histologically, there was marked reduction in tubular diameter, peritubular fibrosis, loss of spermatogenic cells, and tubules lined only by Sertoli cells. In addition, Leydig cells, which accumulated in the inter-stitium of the testes, contained numerous large lipid vacuoles, as determined by electron microscopy. These features suggest that BDL in chickens causes hypogonadism and low serum testosterone.

Key words: Bile duct ligation; chicken; testicular atrophy.

Request reprints from Dr. K. Yoshioka, Department of Veterinary Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada Aomori 034 (Japan). E-mail: yoshioka{at}vmas.kitasato-u.ac.jp.