title: Effect of continual light deprivation and alpha-2u-globulin replacement therapy on serum concentration of gonadotropins and testicular activity in rats.
abstract: Prolonged darkness caused a fall in testicular 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) activity and diminished spermatogenesis, serum levels of gonadotropins, testosterone and alpha 2u-globulin. Administration of alpha 2u-globulin at a dose of 1.5 mg rat-1 per day for 7 days after 68 days of light deprivation, reversed the 17 beta-HSD activity and serum levels of gonadotropins, testosterone and alpha 2u-globulin, while spermatogenesis was restored to normal. The animals kept in prolonged darkness for 68 days and then received saline (7 days in light-dark cycle, 14 L: 10 D), showed no significant changes of testicular activity, serum levels of gonadotropins, testosterone and alpha 2u-globulin, when compared with dark-exposed animals (68 days) receiving rabbit serum (7 days in light-dark cycle, 14 L: 10 D). These results suggest that alpha 2u-globulin plays an important role in testicular function in dark-exposed rats by inducing gonadotropins and testosterone secretion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University Colleges of Science and Technology, Calcutta, India.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mandal
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Biswas
mesh_terms: D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003624:Darkness; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood*; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D006062:Gonadotropins; C013803:alpha 2u globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; C035507:3(17)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase