The effect of bull seminal ribonuclease on spermatogenesis in the rabbit

Abstract Bull seminal ribonuclease is a very strong antigen in rabbits. In most animals the antibodies were formed after the first course of immunizations. Antibodies were of IgG immunoglobulin character. When bull seminal ribonuclease itself, and in a complex with IgG immunoglobulin fraction, was injected into rabbit testes, lower weight testes and inhibition of seminiferous epithelium development were observed for a few weeks. Similar changes were evoked by subcutaneous injections of the enzyme. During the inhibition of spermatogenesis by the enzyme no histological changes in the intertubular tissue of testes or changes in androgen concentration in the blood serum were detected.