Sterilization of Male Rhesus Monkeys by Iron Salts

Summary. A single local injection of ferrous sulphate or ferric chloride causes total destruction of the testis of adult rhesus monkeys. Histochemically, the injected iron is found to be localized in the tunica propria of the tubules and in the interstitium; it accumulates in the mitochondrial and the supernatant fractions almost in equal amounts. It seems that iron causes a generalized damage to the testis through properties common to other heavy metallic ions.