title: Effect of thyroidectomy, and thyroxine and alpha 2u-globulin replacement therapy on testicular steroidogenic and gametogenic activities in rats.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, College of Science and Technology, India.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ghosh
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000510:Alpha-Globulins; C013803:alpha 2u globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D013974:Thyroxine