title: Modulation of rat testes lipid composition by hormones: effect of PRL and hCG.
abstract: The effect of prolactin (PRL) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration for 7 days on the composition and function of rat testicular plasma membrane was investigated. Refractory state in Leydig cells desensitized by hCG decreased the binding capacity for 125I-labeled hCG and also luteinizing hormone (LH)-induced adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and testosterone production. In testicular membranes of hCG-treated animals, a depletion of cholesterol and an increase in total phospholipid content was observed after gonadotropin injection, thereby decreasing the cholesterol-to-phospholipid ratio. Injection of high doses of PRL had no effect on the binding capacity or affinity of the LH-hCG receptor but decreased the response of Leydig cells to LH in terms of cAMP and testosterone synthesis. PRL also increased total and esterified cholesterol and decreased free cholesterol and membrane phospholipid content. The fatty acid composition of testicular lipids was significantly and selectively influenced by both hormonal treatments. These observations suggest that metabolism of cholesterol and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in testicular tissue is affected by chorionic gonadotropin and PRL and may provide the mechanism for regulating steroidogenic functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sebokova
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wierzbicki
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Clandinin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000378:metabolism; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D011974:Receptors, LH; D014280:Triglycerides; D011388:Prolactin; D000242:Cyclic AMP