EXCESS CHOLINE AVAILABILITY - A TRANSIENT EFFECT ON SPERMATOGENESIS IN THE RAT

The reproductive effects of choline (trimethyl-beta-hydroxyethylammoni um) are unknown. Excess dietary intake of choline may occur in humans. Adult male rats were administered i.p. aqueous choline chloride (25 m g/rat, daily for 12 or 24 days). Administration of excess choline for 12 days did not significantly alter spermatogenesis. Administration fo r 24 days depleted pachytene spermatocytes until posttreatment day 5, while slight proliferation of spermatogonia was noted from day 5 onwar ds. By day 12, the tubules showed almost normal cellular associations. It is suggested that perhaps a prolonged administration of excess cho line may prove to be toxic to male reproduction.