Impact of neonatal onset hypothyroidism on Sertoli cell number, plasma and testicular interstitial fluid androgen binding protein concentration.
The impact of neonatal onset hypothyroidism from day 1 postpartum through different postnatal developmental events on rat testis was studied in vivo. Hypothyroidism was induced in neonates by feeding the lactating mother or directly with 0.05% methimazole (MMI) through drinking water from the day of birth and were killed at day 10, 15, 30, 40 and 60 postpartum. Hypothyroidism was confirmed by radioimmunoassay of thyroid hormones and TSH. Sertoli cell number, plasma and testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) androgen binding protein (ABP) concentration was quantified. Sertoli cell number was consistently decreased in all hypothyroid rats. Plasma ABP was also decreased irrespective of the duration of hypothyroidism. Unlike plasma ABP, TIF ABP concentration in hypothyroid rats increased at day 10, and 15 postpartum and decreased in other age groups. Plasma FSH level was increased significantly in all hypothyroid groups. The present investigation points out that suppression of T3 during the critical period of Sertoli cell proliferation affects their number and functional activity.
Maran
R R
RR
Department of Endocrinology, Dr. ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai, India. rmanimaran@hotmail.com
Ravisankar
B
B
Ravichandran
K
K
Valli
G
G
Arunakaran
J
J
Aruldhas
M M
MM
D000375:Aging; D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002452:Cell Count; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008713:Methimazole; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood
D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein; D008713:Methimazole; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin