THE EFFECT OF COPPER FROM INDUSTRIAL EMISSION ON THE SEMINIFEROUS EPITHELIUM IN RAMS

The changes in the testes of adult rams have been followed by methods of light- and electronmicroscopy after intoxication with copper emitte d from a copper plant. In the toxic phase of the disease primarily the germinative epithelium was damaged. The breaking or decay of the cell ular membrane with consequent devastation or stagnation of the spermio genesis was observed. The toxic effect of the copper affects irreversi bly not only all the cells of spermiogenesis in the developmental stag es, but it damages also the Sertoli cells including the components of the interstitium. These changes participated in the impairment of repr oduction in the flock under study.