Transforming growth factor-beta inhibits Leydig cell steroidogenesis in primary culture.
The effects of transforming growth factor (TGF) on Leydig cell steroidogenesis in primary culture were investigated. Basal testosterone levels were 3.7 +/- 0.54 ng/ml (mean +/- SE, N = 7). In the presence of hCG (10 ng/ml), testosterone levels increased to 22.77 +/- 3.05 ng/ml. TGF-beta caused a dose dependent inhibition of hCG-stimulated testosterone formation but without effects on basal levels. TGF-beta also inhibited 8-bromo cyclic AMP-induced testosterone formation and hCG-stimulated cyclic AMP formation. In contrast, TGF-alpha had no effect on either basal or hCG-stimulated testosterone formation and did not modify the inhibitory effect of TGF-beta. Present study indicates that TGF-beta can modulate Leydig cell steroidogenesis.
D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D010455:Peptides; D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; D013739:Testosterone; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors; D000242:Cyclic AMP