Thyroid-epididymal relationship. I. Influence of hypothyroidism on epididymal lipids.

The influence of thyroidectomy on the lipid composition of caput and cauda epididymides have been studied. The analysis was conducted in epididymal tissues free from fluids and sperm. A general tendency towards accumulation of epididymal lipids was observed in hypothyroid rats. Hypothyroidism also brought about a differential regional response, which may be age-related. The existence of a relationship between triacylglycerols, phospholipids and diacylglycerols has been suggested. Since immediate thyroxine replacement to thyroidectomised rats maintained epididymal lipids at control levels, it is concluded that hypothyroidism has a definite influence on the epididymal lipid composition.