STERILIZATION OF MALE RHESUS MONKEYS BY IRON SALTS.

A single injection directly into the testis of ferrous sulphate or ferric chloride caused total destruction of the testis of adult rhesus monkeys. Germinal and endocrine portions were equally affected. The damage was considered to be due to toxic properties common to other heavy metallic ions. The iron salts were used at .08 mmole/kg body weight in 3 ml sterile distilled water into each testis. Histochemically the injected iron was found localized in the tunica propria of the tubules and in the interstitium. It accumulated in the mitochondrial and supernatant fractions in equal amounts. Typical castration changes were evoked in the seminal vesicles and prostate.