Inhibition of Spermatogenesis and Steroidogenesis During Long-Term Treatment with hCG in the Rat

摘要: The effects of chronic treatment with hCG (100 I.U. s.c. every second day) on testicular morphology, LH receptor levels and concentration steroid intermediates the δ4 δ5 biosynthetic pathways were studied in adult rats for periods extending from one to 12 weeks. Treatment causes a decrease testis weight, maximal inhibitory effect being observed after two four weeks treatment. At these time intervals, loss weight is accompanied by degenerative changes most seminiferous tubules hypertrophy Leydig cells. Administration week leads also an almost complete binding sites marked stimulation steroids A pathways, as well increase weights secondary reproductive organs. initial increment followed administration apparent 17, 20-desmolase activity suggested reduction androst-5-ene-3β, 17β-diol, androstenedione, testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone concentrations pregnenolone, 17-OH-pregnenolone, progesterone 17-OH-progesterone. Plasma pituitary are maximally reduced at treatment, respectively, while plasma FSH only slightly administration. all above-mentioned parameters, except morphology completely reversible eight intervals. This transiency gradual antibodies. present data show that induces degeneration inhibition spermatogenesis accompanies well-known receptors steroidogenic pathway.