Immunohistochemical studies on brain nitric oxide synthase (bNOS) in the male genital accessory glands of the rat during postnatal development.

The aim of the study was to investigate the presence, localisation and function of brain nitric oxide synthase (bNOS) in the male genital accessory glands of rats in the course of their postnatal development. Localisation of the bNOS was immunocytochemically investigated in the epididymis, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate of male Wistar strain rats at 1, 5, 10, 20, 28, 35, 45 and 59 days of age. The method employed involved mouse monoclonal antibodies against rat bNOS in combination with tyramide signal amplification (CSA).

Morphometric studies on rat epididymis in the course of postnatal development (computerised image analysis).

The studies were aimed at histological and morphometric analysis of postnatal development of epididymis in rats aged 1, 5, 10, 20, 28, 35, 45 and 59 days. Diameter of ductuli efferentes and of ductus epididymidis, height of epithelium, section area fractions occupied by the epithelium and by the sublayer were estimated (using MultiScan software) and serum testosterone levels were measured. The results documented a stepwise development of the epididymis, in three distinguishable stages.

Long-term effect of neonatal monosodium glutamate (MSG) treatment on reproductive system of the female rat.

The study aimed at determining effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG), introduced in the perinatal period, on the reproductive system of sexually mature female rats. In days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 the newborns received s.c.

Morphometric studies on the testes of rats treated neonatally with oestrogen and subsequently with gonadotrophins and testosterone.

The experiments involved male rats, which were given a single subcutaneous dose of 1 mg stilboestrol on the first day of life. Beginning on day 28, subgroups of the rats received either gonadotrophins or testosterone for 39 days. The weight of the testes, serum luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels were determined while sections of the testes were subjected to morphological analysis and morphometric measurements, based on computerized techniques.

Effects of melatonin, testosterone and the two hormones administered in parallel on epididymis of the rat estrogenized with stilbestrol in the first day of life.

Effect of melatonin, testosterone and of both hormones given in parallel on rat epididymis was tested in rats given a single dose of 1 mg stilbestrol on the first day of the life. The hormones were given daily for 39 days, beginning from the 20th or 28th day of life. The single dose of estrogen treatment resulted in epididymis atrophy, accompanied by changes in glandular epithelium and in its stroma, when the rats reached mature age (59 or 67 days of life).