Catecholamine-induced stimulation of testosterone production by Leydig cells from fetal mouse testis.
In contrast to the strong stimulation of testosterone production by hCG, L-isoproterenol had little effect on freshly isolated Leydig cells from 18-day-old mouse fetuses. However, the ability of fetal Leydig cells to respond to L-isoproterenol exposure increased during culture (0-24 h). The response of the cultured cells to L-isoproterenol was dose-dependent with an ED50 at 2 X 10(-7) M. Adrenaline and noradrenaline at a concentration of 10(-5) M also increased testosterone production by cultured fetal Leydig cells. DL-Propranolol, a beta-antagonist, inhibited L-isoproterenol-stimulated testosterone production in a dose-dependent manner, while phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic antagonist, had no effect. These results suggest that catecholamines may play an essential role in the control of testicular steroidogenesis during fetal development.
D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013997:Time Factors
D002395:Catecholamines; D013739:Testosterone; D011433:Propranolol; D007545:Isoproterenol; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine; D010646:Phentolamine