[Effects of phytoestrogens on testosterone production of rat Leydig cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of phytoestrogens (daidzein and genistein) on the testosterone production of rat Leydig cells and the possible mechanisms.


METHODS
Primary Leydig cells were obtained from 3-month old male SD rats using discontinuous Percoll density gradient centrifugation. The effects of phytoestrogens at various concentrations were evaluated by ELISA, with hCG as the positive control. The mRNA expression of P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) was analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Genistein at 0.1 micromol/L obviously promoted the secretion of testosterone and upregulated the mRNA level of P450scc. At a higher concentration of 5 micromol/L, however, both daidzein and genistein significantly inhibited the testosterone production of Leydig cells (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Genistein can promote the testosterone production of Leydig cells at a low concentration (0.1 micromol/L), but both daidzein and genistein can inhibit it at a higher concentration ( >5 micromol/L).
Zhu
Feng-rong
FR
Research Center, Tianjin Tiens Group, Tianjin 301700, China. zhufengrong@hotmail.com
Wang
Yong-gang
YG
Chen
Jie
J
Hu
Yan-xue
YX
Han
Fu-sen
FS
Wang
He-yao
HY
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019833:Genistein / Q000494:pharmacology; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D013739:Testosterone; C004742:daidzein; D019833:Genistein