Effect of thyroidectomy, and thyroxine and alpha 2u-globulin replacement therapy on testicular steroidogenic and gametogenic activities in rats.
Adult male rats were thyroidectomized and killed after 22 days of treatment. Thyroidectomy lowered the weights of testes and accessory sex organs, decreased the activities of testicular delta 5-3 beta- and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSD), and diminished spermatogenesis, serum levels of testosterone and alpha 2u-globulin. Supplementation with thyroxine at a dose of 5 micrograms/100 g body weight per day for 21 days or supplementation with alpha 2u-globulin at a dose of 1.5 mg/rat per day for 21 days in thyroidectomized animals partially reversed the decrease in HSD activities and serum concentrations of testosterone and alpha 2u-globulin, while spermatogenesis was restored to normal. The weights of testes and accessory sex organs were also reinstated after supplementation with thyroxine or alpha 2u-globulin in thyroidectomized rats in comparison with thyroidectomized animals. It was concluded that alpha 2u-globulin may be an intermediary in the thyroid hormone control of testicular function.
Biswas
N M
NM
Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, College of Science and Technology, India.
Ghosh
P K
PK
Biswas
R
R
Ghosh
D
D
D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000510:Alpha-Globulins; C013803:alpha 2u globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D013974:Thyroxine