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Methods for Quantifying Mammalian Spermatogenesis: a Review¹

Colorado State University², Fort Collins 80523

Abstract

Relatively large alterations in rates of spermatozoal production may be undetected unless critical evaluation procedures are employed to assess spermatogenesis. Thus, a variety of techniques for quantifying spermatogenesis have been developed. These include the measurement of spermatozoal production in extirpated tissue by quantitative testicular histology or by homogenization of testicular tissue and subsequent enumeration of testicular spermatid reserves, measurement by determination of spermatozoal output in ejaculated semen or in the effluent obtained by cannulation of the male duct system of living subjects, and by several other specialized techniques. In this review, procedural details for each technique are described, and the limitations, advantages, disadvantages and basis for selection of each procedure is discussed. When used judiciously, these techniques constitute powerful tools for investigating the gametogenic activity of the testes. These techniques should be utilized whenever a critical assessment of the quantitative aspects of spermatogenesis is required.

¹ The author wishes to express his appreciation to Drs. R. P. Amann and G. Igboeli for their thoughtful comments and suggestions during the preparation of this manuscript.

² Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Biophysics.