Characterization of adrenergic control of the Leydig cell steroidogenesis: identification of both stimulatory and inhibitory components.
Percoll-purified Leydig cells were studied in vitro in order to evaluate the effect of adrenaline on testosterone (T) secretion. Adrenaline enhanced the basal and potentiated the hCG-induced T release. A similar effect was also obtained with the beta 2-agonist, salbutamol. Although phenylephrine, an alpha 1-agonist, did not alter the basal T secretion, it enhanced hCG-mediated T secretion. Para-aminoclonidine, an alpha 2-agonist, decreased the basal T release without altering the hCG-stimulated T release. These data demonstrate that either inhibitory or stimulatory effects on T release can be obtained and that they depend on the adrenoreceptor subtype involved.
Favaretto
A L
AL
Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil.
Valença
M M
MM
Hattori
M
M
Wakabayashi
K
K
Antunes-Rodrigues
J
J
D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000502:physiology*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000502:physiology*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000502:physiology*; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D013739:Testosterone; D004837:Epinephrine