Testicular responses of rats under cyclical intermittent oxygen hyperpressure

Oxygen toxicity problem has been much discussed but real causative factors are still unknown. Histological and cytochemical studies on effects of oxygen under ambient prossure, 3.5 ATA. abs., with Wistar strain male rats, focused on changes of gonadotropic organs, were accomplished. Results were as follows. Premature young rats were more influenced by pure oxygen than adult group and ensured physical retardation. Reduced succinylcholine dehydrogenase activities were observed in both kidneys and testes after a series of intermittent exposure to OHP. However, histological changes were little except emphysematous lungs by autopsies. Some possibilities are discussed in this article that hypoplasia of testicular germ cells would be caused by vas constrictive effect at increased pO2 environment