STIMULATION OF PREPUBERTAL, PUBERTAL AND ADULT-RAT TESTIS WITH LOW-INTENSITY PULSED ULTRASOUND

Testes of prepubertal, pubertal and adult Wistar rats were stimulated with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for 20 min a day, for 7 days. No significant changes were found in the spermatogenic activity as well a s in plasma LH and FSH levels following ultrasound treatment. The test icular androgenic activity, however, was significantly increased in pr epubertal treated animals, in addition to a significant increase in se minal vesicle growth and secretory activity. In spite of normal androg enic levels, pubertal treated rats presented also an increase in the s eminal vesicle secretory activity, thus suggesting a direct action of ultrasound on the gland.