The effects of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor tranylcypromine on the testis weight of the cockerel

TLDR: In mammals several monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) have been shown to depress the weight and function of the reproductive system and the present study is concerned with the effects of the MAOI tranylcypromine upon the testis weight of the cockerel.

Abstract: In mammals several monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) have been shown to depress the weight and function of the reproductive system (Poulson & Robson, 1964; Zor, Dikstein & Sulman, 1965; Alleva, Overpeck & Umberger, 1966; Zor, Ailabouni & Sulman, 1966; Jaitly, Robson, Sullivan & Wilson, 1968a, b; Zor, Locker, Schleider, & Sulman 1968). The mechanism of action appears to be the ability of the MAOI to (1) inhibit the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and somatotrophic hormone (STH) (Wickstr\\l=o\"\\m& Petterson, 1964; Zor et al. 1966) and (2) suppress the release and block the peripheral effects of LH (Zor et al. 1966; Jaitly et al. 1968b). In extending this work to the domestic fowl the present study is concerned with the effects of the MAOI tranylcypromine upon the testis weight of the cockerel. Single-comb White Leghorn cockerels were injected s.c. for 6 days beginning on the 12th day of age with materials prepared as follows: tranylcypromine (Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee), LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (both obtained gratis from the National Institute of Health, Bethesda) were dissolved in 0-9% NaCl soin; corticosterone (Calbiochem, Los Angeles) was finely suspended in sesame seed oil. Twenty-four hr. after the last injection body weights were determined to the nearest g. after which the animals were killed by cervical fracture, the testes removed, and weighed to the nearest 0-1 mg. Tranylcypromine given alone (expt 1, Table 1) significantly depressed the testis weight relative to the control value with the 1-25 and mg. doses ( < 0-05 and