The mechanism for lindane-induced inhibition of steroidogenesis in cultured rat Leydig cells.
The in vitro effect of the gamma-isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane, lindane, on rat Leydig cell steroidogenesis was studied. Leydig cells from mature male rats were incubated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 1 IU) for 3 h at 34 degrees C in the presence of different doses of lindane (2-200 microg/ml; 2-200 ppm). Results demonstrate that lindane produces a dose-dependent inhibition of testosterone production in hCG-stimulated Leydig cells. The decreased testosterone synthesis was accompanied with a half-reduced LH/hCG receptor number without any modification in the K(d) value. In addition, lindane also decreased cAMP production. These effects were not due to a detrimental action of lindane on cell viability. Results of this study demonstrate a direct inhibitory action of lindane on testicular steroidogenesis, at least in part, through a reduction in the classical second messenger production involved in this pathway.
Laboratorio de Hormonas y Receptores, Instituto de Nutricíon Tecnologia de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 138-11, Santiago, Chile. amronco@uec.inta.uchile.cl
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Ronco
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Valdés
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Marcus
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Llanos
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism; D004396:Coloring Agents; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000633:toxicity*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014343:Trypan Blue
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D004396:Coloring Agents; D007306:Insecticides; D013256:Steroids; D013739:Testosterone; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D014343:Trypan Blue