Beta-adrenergic stimulation of androgen production by fetal mouse Leydig cells in primary culture.
The responsiveness of fetal mouse Leydig cells to catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine), a beta-agonist agent (L-isoproterenol) and hCG was investigated in vitro. Fetal Leydig cells when freshly isolated were unable to respond to L-isoproterenol (10(-5) M). However, L-isoproterenol, epinephrine and norepinephrine significantly stimulated androgen production by fetal Leydig cells after 24 h of primary culture. Androgen production was increased in both conditions and to a greater extent by hCG. Propranolol blocked the stimulatory effect of L-isoproterenol and epinephrine. It is concluded that catecholamines can regulate fetal testosterone biosynthesis.
D015056:1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000728:Androgens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology*
D000728:Androgens; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D011433:Propranolol; D007545:Isoproterenol; D015056:1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine