Response of the testis to gonadotrophin replacement in young hypophysectomized vs. gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist-treated rats.
We have studied the response of atrophic Leydig cells to gonadotrophin replacement in young hypophysectomized (HX) and GnRH antagonist (GnRH-ANT)-treated rats. Hypophysectomy was performed at 28 days of age. Age-matched rats were treated with GnRH-ANT from 28 to 51 days of age. From 45 to 51 days of age, animals were injected with 5 IU recFSH, 10 IU hCG or vehicle. Body and testicular weights, as well as the diameter of the seminiferous tubules were significantly higher in GnRH-ANT-treated than in HX rats. Both recombinant FSH and hCG treatments induced a similar increase in testicular weight and tubule diameter in HX and GnRH-ANT-treated rats. However, hCG treatment induced a significantly higher increase in Leydig cell size in HX (3.2-fold) than in GnRH-ANT-treated (1.4-fold) rats. These results suggest that the response of atrophic Leydig cells to gonadotrophin supplementation was partially inhibited in the presence of GnRH antagonist, whereas Sertoli cell-mediated responses seem not to be affected.
Gaytan
F
F
Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cordoba, Spain.
Bellido
C
C
Morales
C
C
Aguilar
E
E
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone