title: Effects of starvation in rats on serum levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and testicular 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity.
abstract: Adult male rats were maintained on the following dietary regimes: full-fed for 28 days (controls); full-fed 21 days followed by no feed for seven days (acutely starved); no feed for seven days followed by 1/4 feed for 14 days (chronically starved); no feed for seven days, 1/4 of the normal diet for 1/4 days, and completes return of feed for seven days (refed). Serum testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were measured by radioimmunoassay and testicular delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) activity was measured by a pregnenolone depletion method. Prostate, seminal vesicles and seminal fluid weight, as well as number of epididymal spermatozoa were reduced in all starved groups. Serum androgens and testicular delta 5-3 beta-HSD activity were significantly reduced in acutely and chronically starved rats. After seven days of refeeding, serum levels of T, DHT, as well as testicular 3 beta-HSD activity rose to control values. In addition, the accessory organ weights and number of epididymal spermatozoa followed a similar pattern. These data provide further evidence that starvation results in impaired testicular function which is reversed by refeeding.
mesh_terms: D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D013217:Starvation / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases