The testes are primary reproductive organs or gonads in males, which are responsible for production of testosterone and secondary sexual characters.

Aims & Objectives:The present study is done to observe testicular histology at different ages.

Materials & Methods:A total number of 64 testes of pre and post natal age groups from 17 male foetal cadavers, 6 autopsies of Forensic department, One cadaver of Anatomy department, 16 from pathology department. The prenatal specimens were collected from aborted embryos and dead foetuses of 6–40 weeks gestation. The postnatal testes were collected from individuals of 9–78 years of age. All the specimens were cut into two halves for recording the observations on lobules of testis, seminiferous tubules and tunica albuginea. Sections of 5 microns thickness were cut and stained with haematoxylin and eosin and mounted in Canada balsam. Cut sectional views were photographed and images were transferred to a computer and analyzed.

Results:The embryos of 6–10 weeks post conceptional age gonads primordial germa cells could be identified suspended by mesentery. In the foetuses of 13–20 weeks gestation tunica albuginea, rete testis, sex cords with spermatogonia, interstitial cell cords with foetal leydig cells were identified. At 24–28 weeks of gestation tunica propria was observed. At 9 years of age thick stratified epithelium was observed. In pubertal age seminiferous tubules with epithelium was observed. At 22–45 years of age different spermatogonic cells were observed. At 52–78 years of age atrophic, sclerosed, hyalinised seminiferous tubules were observed.

Conclusion:There is marked delay in the appearance of the PGC, termination of indifferent stage and establishment of gonadal sex during 1^st trimester and a slight delay in the differentiation of various components of testes during 2^nd and 3^rd trimesters