STRUCTURE OF THE TESTES IN RATS DEVELOPING UNDER CONDITIONS OF MATERNAL CHOLESTASIS, PECULIARITIES OF THEIR REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS AND OFFSPRING DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The study of outbred albino rats, in mothers of which an extrahepatic obstructive cholestasis was modeled on the 17th day of pregnancy, demonstrated the changes in ther testes that were identified even in animals reaching sexual maturity. Marked swelling of the interstitium, reduced numbers of interstitial cells, the delay of convolution of the seminiferous tubules were detected. The latter had reduced thickness of the seminiferous epithelium layer due to the reduction in the number of spermatogenic cells with the development of destructive changes that adversely affected the process of spermatogenesis. Fertilizing capacity of these males was reduced to 42.9%, the duration of their offspring development was increased, the number of pups per litter was reduced (with the presence of stillborn among them). During the early postnatal period, there was a delay in their weight gain and physical development.