THE EFFECTS OF CASTRATION AND TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT ON THE HISTOLOGY AND HISTOCHEMISTRY OF THE EPIDIDYMIS IN THE INDIAN WALL LIZARD HEMIDACTYLUS FLAVIVIRIDIS (RÜPPELL)

SUMMARY

In the normal Hemidactylus flaviviridis (Rüppell) (Reptilia Gekkonidae), the epididymis exhibits the maximum increase in epithelial height and secretory activity during the breeding season (March-April). The secretory material of the epididymis was eosinophilic. The secretory granules were also positive to Sudan black B and PAS indicating the presence of lipid and acid mucopolysaccharide, respectively. These secretions are discharged into the epididymal tubule and are mixed with spermatozoa. In castrated animals studied during the same period, a complete regression of epididymis with connective tissue proliferation and accumulation of lipid and PAS positive material was demonstrated. The epithelial cells became cuboidal. The lumina of the epididymal tubule were reduced greatly in size and did not contain any secretory material or spermatozoa. When these castrates were treated with testosterone proprionate, the epithelium gradually exhibited signs of renewed secretory activity.