Acute suppression of circulating testosterone levels by cortisol in men.
The effect of acute activation of the ACTH-adrenal axis on circulating testosterone (T) levels was investigated. Elevation of circulating cortisol resulting from insulin-induced hypoglycemia or the administration of hydrocortisone was followed by a rapid decrease in serum T levels, without accompanying changes in LH or PRL. These findings suggest that hypercortisolism of endogenous or exogenous sources suppresses T secretion by a direct action on the testis. This adrenal-testicular axis may have biological implications on the reproductive adaptation to stress.
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood*; D007328:Insulin; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D013739:Testosterone; C007133:hydrocortisone hemisuccinate; D006854:Hydrocortisone