Effect of chronic intermittent immobilization stress on hypophyso-gonadal function of rats
Taché, Y.; Ducharme, J.R.; Charpenet, G.; Haour, F.; Saez, J.; Collu, R.
Acta Endocrinologica 93(2): 168-174
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5598 PMID: 7376788 Document Number: 164483
The neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in chronic stress-induced testosterone (T) suppression were evaluated in adult male rats. In intact animals, restraint applied 6 h daily for 6 days increased plasma corticosterone, decreased significantly T and Prl iodo-hCG and no alteration in hCG responsiveness were observed. Apparently plasma T suppression induced by chronic restraint is not initially mediated by a direct action at the testis level as judged by the normal testicular hCG binding capacity and responsiveness to hCG; the sustained endogenous release of glucocorticoid associated with chronic restraint exposure does not play an important role in the decrease of LH and T secretion but could participate in the Prl drop induced by long-term exposure to stressors and the decrease in LH secretion may be partly responsible for the T suppression, whereas follitropin (on the basis of previous observations) and Prl do not seem to exert a significant role.