Effects of hyperprolactinemia on FSH- or LH-induced activities of 17 beta-oxidoreductase, 5 alpha-reductase, and 17-hydroxylase in hypophysectomized rat testes

Two pituitaries from 7-week-old female rats (Sprague-Dawley strain) were grafted under the capsule of the left kidney of a 49-day old male rat. The pituitary grafted and sham-operated rats were hypophysectomized at 56 days of age. The hypophysectomized rats were given daily injections of NIAMDD-oFSH-13 (20 micrograms/0.5 ml saline), NIAMDD-oLH-23 (9 micrograms/0.5 ml saline) or saline for 4 days starting from day 58. The treated rats and normal male rats were killed at 61 days of age. Testicular homogenates were incubated with [14C]4-androstene-3, 17-dione or [3H] progesterone, and enzyme activities per testes were estimated. Hypophysectomy caused significant decreases in activities of testicular 17 beta-oxidoreductase and 17-hydroxylase. The decreased activity of 17 beta-oxidoreductase was significantly stimulated by FSH or LH treatment, whereas the decreased 17-hydroxylase activity was stimulated only by LH treatment. Although pituitary grafts alone showed little or no effect on these enzyme activities in the hypophysectomized rats, the grafts significantly inhibited FSH-stimulated 17 beta-oxidoreductase activity and the LH-stimulated 17 beta-oxidoreductase and 17-hydroxylase activities but enhanced LH-induced 5 alpha-reductase activity. The present results confirm previous findings that an excess of prolactin directly inhibits LH-stimulated 17-hydroxylase activity but enhances LH-induced 5 alpha-reductase activity in the rat testis. The present results also demonstrate that the same grafts directly inhibit FSH-stimulated 17 beta-oxidoreductase activity but have no effect on FSH-induced 5 alpha-reductase activity.     

Effects of hyperprolactinemia on activities of 17-hydroxylase, 17 beta-ol-dehydrogenase and 5 alpha-reductase in neonatally grafted and host testes in mice

Male and female (WB X C57BL/6)F1 hybrid mice were used. Two pituitaries from 60-80-day-old female mice were grafted under the capsule of the left kidney of 60-80-day-old male mice. One week after grafting, 2 testes from neonatal mice were grafted under the capsule of the right kidney of the grafted mice and 70-90-day-old intact male mice. The grafted and host testes, in groups of 10-26, were removed 15, 30, 40, 60 and 120 days after transplantation of the neonatal testes. Testicular homogenates were incubated with [3H]progesterone or [14C]4-androstene-3,17-dione, and enzyme activities per g tissue were estimated. Significantly elevated prolactin levels, slightly lower LH levels and normal testosterone levels were found in the mice with pituitary grafts, compared with those in the mice without pituitary grafts. Activities of 17-hydroxylase and 17 beta-ol-dehydrogenase increased clearly with age in the grafted testes in the mice without pituitary grafts, though the increases were inhibited significantly by the pituitary grafts. However, the pituitary grafts had no significant effect on activities of 17-hydroxylase and 17 beta-ol-dehydrogenase in the host testes under similar gonadotrophic stimulation. 5 alpha-Reductase activities in the grafted and host testes were unaffected by the pituitary grafts. These results show that hyperprolactinemia may directly inhibit increases in activities of 17-hydroxylase and 17 beta-ol-dehydrogenase with testicular age in neonatally grafted testes in mice.     

Hormonal regulation of activities of 4-ene-5 beta- and 5 alpha-reductases and 17 beta-hydroxy-dehydrogenase in immature golden hamster testis

We have reported [1-3] in immature golden hamster testis that 5 beta-reductase is localized in the tubular nongerm cells, while 5 alpha-reductase is present in the interstitial tissue and that the 17 beta-hydroxy-dehydrogenase activity is found predominantly in the tubular nongerm cells. Hormonal regulation of these enzyme activities was examined in the present study. Male golden hamsters were hypophysectomized on day 22 after birth. The hypophysectomized hamsters in groups of 3-8 were injected daily with 10 micrograms NIH-LH-S19, 50 micrograms NIAMD-Rat-FSH-B-1, 8 or 16 micrograms NIAMD-oFSH-13, 8 micrograms NIAMD-oFSH-13 plus 5 or 10 micrograms NIH-LH-S19, 1 mg testosterone propionate or saline for 5 days starting from day 23. Testicular homogenates of the treated hamsters and intact hamsters on day 28 were incubated with [14C]4-androstene-3,17-dione and NADPH, and enzyme activity (nmol/testes/h) was estimated. The activities of 5 beta- and 5 alpha-reductases and 17 beta-hydroxy-dehydrogenase decreased significantly 6 days after hypophysectomy. In the hypophysectomized hamster testis, a distinct response to FSH but not to LH in the activities of 5 beta-reductase and 17 beta-hydroxy-dehydrogenase was found. The injection of LH in addition to FSH showed no significant additive effects on these enzyme activities. The 5 alpha-reductase activity was stimulated significantly by LH plus FSH but not by LH alone, FSH alone or androgen. These results show that 5 beta-reduction of 4-ene-3-ketosteroids takes place in the Sertoli cells under the influence of FSH while 5 alpha-reduction occurs in the interstitial cells under the influence of LH and FSH in immature hamster testis.     

Divergent effects of prolactin on 4-ene-5α-reductase activity and production of C19-steroids from progesterone in immature rat ovary

Female rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain were used. Two pituitaries from 9-week old rats were grafted in both kidneys of 21-day old rat to induce hyperprolactinemia. All rats with or without pituitary isografts were hypophysectomized on day 26. Starting from day 29, the rats in groups of 8–11 were injected daily with 5 μg NIH-LH-S19 or saline for 3 days. Ovarian homogenates from these rats on day 32 were incubated with [¹⁴C]4-androstene-3, 17-dione or [³H]progesterone and steroid metabolism was estimated. In the hypophysectomized rat ovary, the 5α-reductase activity was stimulated significantly by LH. Although pituitary isograft alone had no stimulative effect on 5α-reductase activity of the hypophysectomized rat ovary, concomitant treatment with LH and pituitary isograft (prolactin) had an additive effect. Formation of the sum of C₁₉-steroids from progesterone in the hypophysectomized rat ovary was stimulated markedly by LH but reduced slightly by prolactin. The LH-induced production of C₁₉-steroids from progesterone was inhibited markedly by prolactin.These results indicate that prolactin treatment inhibits basal and LH-induced production of C₁₉-steroids from progesterone but stimulates LH-induced 4-ene-5α-reductase activity in immature rat ovary.     

Prolactin involvement in regulation of testicular 5 alpha-reductase activity in the immature rat

Treatment of intact immature (25-day-old) rats with bromoergocryptine (BR), which suppressed prolactin (Prl) secretion, decreased testicular 5 alpha-reductase activity, whereas treatment with Prl increased the enzyme activity in BR-treated animals. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were not reduced by BR treatment or elevated by Prl, suggesting that the BR and Prl effects on enzyme activity were not due to alterations in LH secretion. Hypophysectomy (at 21 days of age) caused a dramatic decrease in testicular 5 alpha-reductase activity, and treatment with LH partially reversed this effect. Treatment of hypophysectomized animals with Prl alone had no effect on the enzyme activity but enhanced the effect of LH. Testosterone propionate, given to hypophysectomized animals in a regimen that increased testicular testosterone to concentrations at least as high as those in intact (sham-hypophysectomized) controls, had no effect on enzyme activity, whether given alone or in combination with LH. These results indicate that Prl is involved, along with LH, in maintaining the high 5 alpha-reductase activity of the prepubertal rat testis; the action of Prl, apparently requiring the presence of LH, may be to decrease the rate of degradation of the enzyme. The data also suggest that the action of LH on testicular 5 alpha-reductase activity is not mediated by its stimulation of testosterone production.     

Hormonal regulation of activities of 4-ene-5 beta and 5 alpha-reductases and 17 beta-ol-dehydrogenase in immature golden hamster ovary

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) pellets were implanted in female golden hamsters on day 22 after birth. Hamsters with or without the DES pellet were hypophysectomized on day 23. Starting from day 26, the hypophysectomized hamsters were injected daily with 2.3-40 micrograms NIH-LH-S19, 6 or 18 micrograms NIAMD-oFSH-13, 50 micrograms NIAMD-Rat-FSH-B-1, or saline for 3 days. Ovarian homogenates from these hamsters on day 29 were incubated with [14C]-4-androstene-3,17-dione and enzyme activity (nmol/g/h) was estimated. The 5 alpha- and 5 beta-reductase activities decreased significantly following hypophysectomy. In the hypophysectomized hamster ovary, a distinct response to LH but not to FSH or DES in the 5 alpha-reductase activity was found. On the other hand, the 17 beta-ol-dehydrogenase activity was stimulated by FSH but not by LH or DES. The 5 beta-reductase activity was stimulated by DES, FSH or 2.3 micrograms LH but not by 7-40 micrograms LH. In the DES-treated, hypophysectomized hamster ovary, LH and FSH stimulated the 5 alpha-reductase and 17 beta-ol-dehydrogenase activities, respectively, but FSH or LH treatment had no significant effect on the 5 beta-reductase activity. These results show that the 5 alpha-reductase activity is regulated by LH, while the 17 beta-ol-dehydrogenase activity is stimulated by FSH in immature golden hamster ovary. The 5 beta-reductase activity seems to be regulated predominantly by FSH but the effect of FSH is largely mediated by estrogen.     

The action of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and antiandrogens on the activities of 5 alpha-reductase and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the pituitary gland of gonadectomized rats

In gonadectomized rats of either sex s.c. administration of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) reversed, in a dose dependent manner, effects brought about by gonadectomy: it decreased pituitary wet weight and serum levels of LH and FSH and suppressed microsomal enzyme activities involved in testosterone and progesterone metabolism in the pituitary gland, NADPH-linked 5 alpha-reductase and NADH-linked 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha-HSDH). Concomitantly administered nonsteroidal antiandrogen, flutamide (5 mg/day), antagonized some of the suppressive effects induced by a 14-day treatment of gonadectomized rats with high dose (1 mg/day) of DHT. It completely blocked DHT action on pituitary 5 alpha-reductase activity in the female rat and, in the male, inhibition was found to be 30-35%. In male, but not female rats, it completely blocked DHT suppression of serum FSH level whereas it slightly, but significantly inhibited DHT suppression of serum LH in rats of either sex. However, flutamide did not prevent DHT suppression of pituitary wet weight or NADH-linked 3 alpha-HSDH activity. Concomitantly administered progestational antiandrogen, cyproterone acetate (5 mg/day), inhibited DHT-induced weight increase of seminal vesicles by 50-55% and completely blocked the weight decrease of pituitary gland but did not antagonize DHT suppression of serum gonadotropins or pituitary enzyme activities. The results obtained with flutamide suggest that DHT-induced suppression of pituitary NADPH-linked 5 alpha-reductase, but not NADH-linked 3 alpha-HSDH activity, might involve an androgen receptor mechanism.     

High activity of 17 alpha-oxidoreductase in neonatally grafted mouse testes in adult female mice

Male and female (WB-C57BL/6)F1 hybrid mice were used. Two testes from neonatal mice were grafted into the spleen of adult male and female mice, and the grafted testes were removed 30 and 60 days after grafting. Normal testes from 30- and 60-day old mice were also used. Testicular homogenates were incubated with [14C]4-androstene-3,17-dione or [3H]progesterone, and enzyme activities per g wet tissue and progesterone metabolism were examined. Activity of 17 alpha-oxidoreductase in the grafted testes in females (20 nmol/g/h) was approx. 10 times the activity in the grafted testes in males or in the normal testes, whereas 17 beta-oxidoreductase activity in the grafted testes in females was the lowest among these testes. The bilateral ovariectomy performed 1 month before the grafting of neonatal testes, artificial cryptorchidism performed at 20 days of age, and estrogen treatment for 10 days by diethylstilbestrol pellets resulted in no significant changes in 17 alpha-oxidoreductase activities in 30- and 60-day old grafted, cryptorchid or normal testes. The major 17-hydroxy-C19-steroids formed in vitro from progesterone by the grafted testes in female mice were testosterone and 17 alpha-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one (epitestosterone), but the formation of epitestosterone was insignificant in the normal testes. The present results demonstrate for the first time that epitestosterone is formed as one of major C19-steroids in neonatally grafted mouse testes in females but not in those in males or in normal mouse testes. However, the mechanisms remain unexplained.     

Relationship of intracerebral pituitary grafts to central neuropeptide systems

Variable amounts of pituitary tissue from neonatal or 30-day-old donor rats were implanted in the recessus triangularis or third ventricle of hypophysectomized male host rats. The pituitary tissue was implanted either immediately or 30 days after hypophysectomy of the host rat. Grafts from donors of either age were capable of maintaining a significant degree of testicular weight in one-third of the implanted animals. Neonatal grafts were not capable of restoring testicular weight when implanted 30 days after hypophysectomy. Final body weights of all graft-bearing animals were greater than those of hypophysectomized controls. The pars distalis of all grafts contained large numbers of cells immunore-active for LH, GH, and ACTH; TSH-immunoreactive cells were sparse. Prolactin-positive cells were extensive in grafts of animals in which the testes were maintained, and virtually absent in grafts of animals with atrophic testes. The fiber systems of three central neuropeptides, LRF, SRIF, and ACTH, were stained and found not to enter the graft. The results suggest that pituitary grafts in the third ventricle may receive their hypophysiotropic neuropeptides from the CSF.     

Study of the direct effect of LHRH agonist on testicular 17-hydroxylase and 5 alpha-reductase activities in non-hypophysectomized adult rats treated with an anti-luteinizing hormone serum

In order to study both direct and pituitary-mediated mechanisms of action of the LHRH analogue [D-Ser(TBU)6, des-Gly-NH2(10)]LHRH ethylamide upon testicular steroidogenesis in adult rat, we compared the effects of the agonist when administered alone or concomitantly with an anti-LH serum to non-hypophysectomized rats. Testicular steroid contents and in vitro progesterone and testosterone metabolism were determined. Anti-LH serum administration was able to prevent 5 alpha-reductase stimulation by the agonistic peptide, but not the inhibition of 17-hydroxylase activity. These data suggest that modulation of 17-hydroxylase involves both direct and pituitary-mediated processes, while 5 alpha-reductase stimulation is mainly if not only due to a pituitary-mediated mechanism.     

Regulation of the pituitary 5 alpha-reductase activity by gonadotropin releasing hormone and testosterone in the adult male rat

Intact or castrated adult male rats were treated for nine days with GnRH (10 micrograms/day), the synthetic GnRH goserelin (100 micrograms/day) or the GnRH-antagonist Org 30276 (250 or 500 micrograms/day). In some series, 1 mg testosterone propionate was administered alone, or in combination with goserelin or Org 30276. The in vitro metabolism of [1 alpha,2 alpha-3H]testosterone by pituitary and hypothalamic homogenates was investigated in combination with the estimation of plasma concentrations of testosterone and gonadotropins. No qualitative or quantitative differences were observed in hypothalamic testosterone metabolism or in the pituitary 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Testosterone administration to intact male rats decreased the pituitary 5 alpha-reductase activity and LH, while administered to castrated rats, it was able to suppress totally the castration-induced increase of the 5 alpha-reductase activity and of the gonadotropin secretion. The drastic decrease of the plasma levels of testosterone, observed after a prolonged treatment with GnRH, goserelin or Org 30276 was not accompanied by an increased pituitary 5 alpha-reductase activity. Injected to castrated rats, it was observed that the castration-induced increase of the pituitary 5 alpha-reductase was further stimulated by GnRH, totally suppressed by goserelin and partially suppressed by Org 30276. Concomitant administration of goserelin or Org 30276 and testosterone propionate to castrated rats resulted in a further decrease of the pituitary 5 alpha-reductase activity, compared to the castrated, GnRH-analogue treated rats. These data indicate that the pituitary 5 alpha-reductase enzyme system is controlled by both direct steroidal and indirect GnRH-mediated mechanisms.     

Hormonal regulation of 5 alpha-reductase activity in anterior pituitary gland microsomes of the male rat]

It was previously shown that the microsomal 5 alpha-reductase activity in the male rat pituitary was increased by castration. Subcutaneous administration of androgens to castrated rats prevented the rise in 5 alpha-reductase activity. Their relative efficiency was as follows: 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone greater than 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol greater than testosterone. Under our experimental conditions 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol and estrogens were inefficient. The rise in 5 alpha-reductase activity following castration is exclusively located in hypophysis and it is probably due to an increased of the enzyme biosynthesis.     

Effects of chronic administration of LH releasing hormone on age-dependent activities of testicular 4-ene-5 alpha-reductase and 17 beta-ol-dehydrogenase in mice

Male (WB X C57BL/6)F1 hybrid mice of 16, 26 and 66 days of age, 4 in each group, were injected daily with 0.2 micrograms/10 g body weight of LH releasing hormone (LHRH) or saline for 14 days. Testicular homogenates were incubated with [14C]4-androstene-3,17-dione and enzyme activities were examined. In mice treated with saline, testicular 17 beta-ol-dehydrogenase activity increased with age but 4-ene-5 alpha-reductase (5 alpha-reductase) activity decreased with age. LHRH treatment for 14 days starting from day 26 resulted in a delay in sexual maturation, as evidence by significant decreases (P less than 0.05) in seminal vesicle weight and testicular 17 beta-ol-dehydrogenase activity and by a significant increase (P less than 0.05) in 5 alpha-reductase activity. However, LHRH treatment starting from day 66 had no significant effect on these testicular enzyme activities.     

Steroid hormone production in testis, ovary, and adrenal gland of immature rats irradiated in utero with 60Co

Pregnant rats received whole-body irradiation at 20 days of gestation with 2.6 Gy lambda rays from a 60Co source. Endocrinological effects before maturation were studied using testes and adrenal glands obtained from male offspring and ovaries from female offspring irradiated in utero. Seminiferous tubules of the irradiated male offspring were remarkably atrophied with free germinal epithelium and containing only Sertoli cells. Female offspring also had atrophied ovaries. Testicular tissue obtained from intact and 60Co-irradiated rats was incubated with 14C-labeled pregnenolone, progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and androstenedione as a substrate. Intermediates for androgen production and catabolic metabolites were isolated after the incubation. The amounts of these metabolites produced by the irradiated testes were low in comparison with the control. The activities of delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17 alpha-hydroxylase, C17,20-lyase, and delta 4-5 alpha-reductase in the irradiated testes were 30-40% of those in nonirradiated testes. Also, the activities of 17 beta- and 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases were 72 and 52% of the control, respectively. In adrenal glands, the 21-hydroxylase activity of the irradiated animals was 38% of the control, but the delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was comparable to that of the control. On the other hand, the activity of delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase of the irradiated ovary was only 19% of the control. These results suggest that 60Co irradiation of the fetus in utero markedly affects the production of steroid hormones in testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands after birth.     

Steroidogenesis in the testes and the adrenals of adult male rats after gamma-irradiation in utero at late pregnancy

Pregnant rats were irradiated with 2.1 Gy gamma-ray of 60Co at day 20 of gestation. Seventy days after birth, the body weight of the fetally irradiated male pups was significantly lower than the control. The testes, ventral prostates and seminal vesicles were atrophied by irradiation, whereas no decreased weight of the adrenals was observed. Histological examination of the testes of the irradiated rats revealed a complete disappearance of germinal cells. Sertoli cells and Leydig cells appeared normal, and no apparent histological difference was observed in the adrenals between the control and the irradiated rats. Activities of microsomal delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) + isomerase, 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase, 17 beta-HSD and 7 alpha-hydroxylase per pair of testes were decreased in the irradiated rats (36-86% of the control). In contrast, no decreased activity of 20 alpha-HSD in the cytosol fraction was observed by irradiation. No decreased activity of adrenocortical enzymes, such as delta 5-3 beta-HSD + isomerase, 21-hydroxylase, 11 beta-/18-hydroxylase and 5 alpha-reductase, was also observed in the irradiated group. Concentrations of LH, FSH, TSH, prolactin, testosterone, progesterone and aldosterone in serum were measured by radioimmunoassay. Only the FSH concentration was significantly increased by the irradiation, while no difference was found in the concentration of other hormones. It was concluded that irreversible damage was induced in spermatogenesis and androgen production by the fetal irradiation, whereas corticoidogenesis was not affected.     

The influence of oestradiol on androgen- and oestrogen-dependent enzyme activities of hepatic steroid metabolism in rats.

Five sexually differentiated enzyme activities of hepatic steroid metabolism (cytoplasmic 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 5 beta-reductase; microsomal 3 alpha- and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 5 alpha-reductase) were investigated in intact, gonadectomized and hypophysectomized rats after administration of a single dose of oestradiol valerate. Oestradiol administration caused a partial or complete feminization of these activities in intact male rats. The influence of oestradiol on these activities in gonadectomized rats was determined by the mode of sex hormone-dependent regulation of the individual activity: the most prominent effects were seen in the oestrogen-dependent activities (17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 5 beta-reductase); no effect was seen in the completely androgen-dependent 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase because gonadectomy alone was sufficient to cause complete feminization of the activity. Oestradiol administration had no effect on the activities of hypophysectomized rats. The fact that oestrogen administration to intact male rats caused greater changes than prepuberal gonadectomy demonstrates that oestrogen action is more than simple suppression of testicular function.     

RU-486 inhibits rat gonadal steroidogenesis

RU-486 is a synthetic steroid analogue that can inhibit adrenal steroid synthesis in the rat and rhesus monkey. We measured the activities of five testicular and two ovarian microsomal steroidogenic enzymes to assess the potential effect of RU-486 on rat gonadal steroidogenesis. Hypophysectomized, gonadotropin-replaced rats received RU-486 or a vehicle solution twice daily for seven days. The animals were sacrificed and their gonads were resected, weighed, and microsomal enzyme activities were measured according to RU-486 treatment. Testicular 17-hydroxylase and aromatase activity decreased in RU-486 treated animals whereas 17,20-desmolase, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17-ketosteroid reductase activities were unaffected. Ovarian 17-hydroxylase but not 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was decreased in the animals receiving the drug. We conclude that RU-486 inhibits both testicular and ovarian steroidogenesis in the rat.     

Pituitary extract of the ricefield eel Monopterus albus (Synbranchidae, Teleostei) exhibits gonadotropic activity in the classes Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia and Amphibia

Pituitary extract of the ricefield eel Monopterus albus demonstrated gonadotropic activity in mammals and non-mammalian vertebrates. Using the rat as the recipient, FSH activity was detected in Monopterus pituitaries in the HCG augmentation test and LH activity in the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion test. Cyclic AMP level in superovulated ovaries, ovarian lactate production and glucose uptake in vitro, plasma testosterone level in males, testicular enzymes, ventral prostate weight and other androgen-dependent parameters were stimulated after treatment with Monopterus pituitary extract. Testicular and ovarian 32P5+ uptake in the chick, testicular weight in the grass turtle Chinemys reevesi, and ovulation in the amphibians Xenopus laevis and Rana tigrina were enhanced. Both the FSH-like and LH-like activities in Monopterus pituitaries were sensitive to proteolytic enzymes and chemicals that attack the disulfide linkage, carbohydrate moiety, tyrosine, tryptophan and histidine residues. This constitutes the first report of dual gonadotropic activities elicited by a teleost pituitary extract in the mammal in vivo.     

Regulation of 5 alpha-reductase activity in cultured immature leydig cells by human chorionic gonadotropin

The present studies examined the hormonal regulation of 5 alpha-reductase activity in cultured immature rat Leydig cells. Within the testis 5 alpha-reductase was concentrated in the interstitial cell compartment, and among interstitial cells, the enzyme was localized primarily in Band 3 of Percoll density gradients, which contains the majority of Leydig cells. Among various factors reported previously to stimulate testicular 5 alpha-reductase activity when administered in vivo to immature rats (LH/hCG, FSH, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone or prolactin), only LH/hCG directly stimulated 5 alpha-reductase activity of cultured immature Band 3 cells. Neither growth hormone which was reported previously to stimulate hepatic 5 alpha-reductase activity, nor insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, or epidermal growth factor, which have been reported to modulate Leydig cell function, had any effect on 5 alpha-reductase activity of Band 3 cells. These studies suggest that the major factor directly stimulating 5 alpha-reductase activity in Leydig cells during early maturation is LH. However, it is possible that other factors acting indirectly may modulate the maturational rise in 5 alpha-reductase activity.     

Regulation of testicular and Sertoli cell gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase by follicle-stimulating hormone

Hormonal deprivation achieved by hypophysectomy or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-antagonist treatment of immature rats resulted in markedly lower testicular gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity than in the testes of age-matched controls. When begun 15 days after hypophysectomy, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) treatment significantly increased testicular GGT above that in testes from hypophysectomized controls in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In contrast, testosterone propionate had only a small effect. Testicular GGT was higher in adult hypophysectomized rats treated with FSH from the time of surgery than in untreated hypophysectomized rats; testosterone propionate treatment had no effect. GGT activity in Sertoli cells isolated from GnRH antagonist-treated or hypophysectomized immature rats was also lower than in cells from control rats. FSH treatment from the day of hypophysectomy resulted in Sertoli cell GGT values equivalent to those from intact controls. These data indicate that FSH regulates GGT activity in rat testis and Sertoli cells.