Andrenogonadal interactions in nicotine-induced alteration of steroidogenesis in male rat.
Chronic nicotine administration in larger doses inhibits steroidogenesis in testis. This inhibition is possibly secondary to increased adrenomedullary norepinephrine activity, since the anti-steroidogenic effect of nicotine can be prevented by alpha-adrenergic blocker like phentolamine. In vitro incubation of testicular slices with nicotine failed to elicit any appreciable effect on delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity indicating lack of direct action of nicotine on testicular steroidogenesis.
D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000378:metabolism; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D002395:Catecholamines; D009538:Nicotine; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D009638:Norepinephrine; D010646:Phentolamine