title: 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.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000367:Age Factors; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D000735:Androstenedione; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase