Inhibin functions in male rats.
The role of inhibin in modulating FSH secretion at sexual maturation in male rats was studied using antibodies against inhibin alpha subunit. An immunohistochemical study was performed by immunogold-silver staining; modulation of FSH secretion in sexual maturation was studied by immunoneutralization. The results show that immunoreactive inhibin alpha subunit is localized in the Sertoli cell, especially at young ages. There were no significant differences in testes weights and histology between the antibody-administered group and the control group. Marked FSH increase was observed in the antibody-administered group from 5 to 30 days. No significant difference was detected in the over 50 days group. It would appear that inhibin plays a role in suppressing FSH secretion in infantile male rats, especially before puberty. However, inhibin's role might not be particularly important, as shown by the lack of significant changes in the gonads of antibody-administered group.
Saito
S
S
Art Park Urology, Sapporo, Japan.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D051381:Rats; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology*
D007265:Inhibins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone