Effect of bullfrog LH and FSH on newt testes under different temperatures.
Environmental temperature plays important roles for amphibian gonadal function. In this study, we examined the responses of testicular tissue of adult male newts (Cynops pyrrhogaster) to amphibian gonadotropins both in vitro and in vivo under different temperatures. When minced testes were incubated in vitro at different temperatures (8-37 degrees C) under an atmosphere of 95% O(2)-5% CO(2) for 3h with bullfrog luteinizing hormone (LH) or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH stimulated testosterone production more than FSH. The testosterone production increased as the incubation temperature increased. Hypophysectomized newts were injected with bullfrog LH or FSH and maintained at 8 or 18 degrees C. In the 18 degrees C group, the testicular weight of the hypophysectomized control decreased when compared with that of with the intact control. The testicular weight of the LH-treated hypophysectomized group decreased more than that of the hypophysectomized control, indicating that LH induced the evacuation of mature spermatozoa from the testes of LH-treated hypophysectomized newts. In the FSH-treated newts, the testicular weight was greater than that in the hypophysectomized control, and was maintained at a value similar to that of the intact control. In the 8 degrees C group, there was no significant difference in testicular size among the intact control, hypophysectomized control, and FSH-treated newts. LH strongly induced spermiation as it did at 18 degrees C. The plasma testosterone level in the hypophysectomized newts decreased dramatically, but LH was effective in restoring it. Its effect was more potent at 8 degrees C than at 18 degrees C. On the other hand, FSH did not induce a significant increase in the plasma testosterone levels at either temperatures. The results indicate a temperature-dependent difference in responsiveness of the testis both in vitro and in vivo to LH and FSH.
Tanaka
Shigeyasu
S
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan. sbstana@ipc.shizuoka.ac.jp
Sakai
Makoto
M
Hattori
Masa-Aki
MA
Kikuyama
Sakae
S
Wakabayashi
Katsumi
K
Hanaoka
Yoichi
Y
D000818:Animals; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011892:Rana catesbeiana; D012455:Salamandridae; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D016707:Tissue Fixation
D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone