title: Effects of photoperiod, hypophysectomy, and follicle-stimulating hormone on testicular follicle-stimulating hormone binding sites in golden hamsters.
abstract: Experiments were conducted to partially characterize and to examine the regulation of unoccupied testicular follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) binding sites in adult golden hamsters. Testicular FSH binding sites were measured in the 1800 X gav fraction of whole testicular homogenates using iodinated bovine FSH. Binding of FSH was highly specific for FSH, located primarily in the testes, was time- and temperature-dependent, initially reversible, saturable, and consistent with a model consisting of a single class of high-affinity binding sites (range of equilibrium association constants (Ka) 2-12 X 10(10) M-1). Exposure of hamsters to a short photoperiod consisting of 5L:19D was associated with an increase in concentration (fmol/mg protein), but a reduction in total content (fmol/testes) of testicular FSH binding sites. There was no appreciable 5L:19D-associated alteration in receptor affinity (average Ka = 7.83 X 10(10) M-1). Injections of ovine prolactin (oPRL), ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH), or ovine FSH (oFSH) for 3 days into hamsters housed in 5L:19D for 12 wk had no effect on photoperiod-induced changes in testicular FSH binding sites. On Days 5 and 6 post hypophysectomy, a dramatic increase in FSH binding site concentration occurred, with but marginal effects on binding site affinity. Injections of 5 micrograms oFSH on Days 2, 3, and 4 after hypophysectomy prevented the increase in binding site concentrations measured on Day 5. Injection of a combination of 5 micrograms oFSH, 50 micrograms oPRL, and 25 micrograms oLH also reduced testicular FSH binding site concentrations in hypophysectomized hamsters, but oPRL or oLH by themselves were ineffective. The data indicate a homologous down-regulation of testicular FSH binding sites, but do not exclude the involvement of other hormones.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D008027:Light; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D011388:Prolactin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011962:Receptors, FSH; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone