Reduction in pregnancies and litters in mice couples with splenectomized male.

PURPOSE: The spleen is relevant in blood purification, hematopoiesis, metabolism, and immune response to antigens, in addition to the storage and control on the release of metals and amino acids. Its functions concerning reproduction characteristics are still unknown. The objective was to study the influence of splenectomies on reproduction. METHODS: This study analyzed 25 mice couples, distributed into five groups: group 1 - control, no surgery: group 2 - control, submitted to laparotomy and laparorrhaphy only; group 3 - splenectomy in male mice; group 4 - splenectomy in female mice; group 5 - splenectomy in male and female mice. The animals were studied as regards the number of gestations and offspring generated in each gestation. RESULTS: A decrease in both the number of gestations and the number of offspring was verified in the male mice that had received a splenectomy when coupled with normal female mice. It is important to emphasize lower reproduction level when paired asplenic males with normal females, otherwise, the couples in which both mice had been splenectomized did not present change in the reproduction pattern. CONCLUSIONS: A reduction in the number of pregnancies and litters occurs in mice couples when the male mice were previously splenectomized.