Effects of passive immunization against alpha-2u-globulin and supplementation with alpha-2u-globulin on serum gonadotrophins and testicular activity.
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of anti-alpha-2U-globulin on pituitary-gonadal functions in male rats. Adult male rats were given injections of anti-alpha-2u-globulin (1 mg/day) for 14 days, when they were killed 7 days after the last injection, serum levels of gonadotrophins and testosterone measured by radioimmunoassays, were less, testicular delta 3 beta- and 17 beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (3 beta- and 17 beta-HSD) activities were suppressed, spermatogenesis was inhibited and serum level of alpha-2u-globulin was decreased in anti-alpha-2u-globulin treated rats. Administration of alpha-2u-globulin (1.5 mg/day) for 7 days to anti-alpha-2u-globulin treated rats reversed the 3beta-HSD and 17beta-HSD activities and serum levels of gonadotrophins, testosterone and alpha-2u-globulin, while spermatogenesis was restored to normal. The results indicate that changes in testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in rats after passive immunization against alpha-2u-globulin may be due to decrease in availability of endogenous alpha-2u-globulin.
Biswas
R
R
Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, College of Science and Technology, India.
Ghosh
P K
PK
Sarkar
M
M
Biswas
N M
NM
D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000097:blood; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000097:blood; D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000510:Alpha-Globulins; C025500:alpha(2)-microglobulin; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases