Involvement of dietary glucose in adrenal steroidal regulation of spermatogenic and steroidogenic activities in prepubertal rat testis
Saxena, N.; Paul, P.K.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 29(7): 605-610
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5189 PMID: 1839018 Document Number: 368836
Effects of dietary and supplemented dextrose energy on the role of corticosterone (Comp. B) or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) in spermatogenic and steroidogenic activity in the bilaterally adrenalectomised prepubertal rat testis were studied. Adrenalectomy reduced the body and testis weight, numbers of the stage VII cell types [spermatogonia A (A), preleptotene (PL) and pachytene (P) spermatocytes and step 7 spermatid (7)], testicular .DELTA.5-3-.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (.DELTA.5-3 .beta.-OH-SDH) activity and serum testosterone. Adrenalectomy also caused reduction of energy intake due to loss of appetite which was stimulated by hormone replacement therapy. Treatment of adrenalectomised rats with DHA or corticosterone enhanced the spermatocyte populations and the enzyme activity, especially after 30 days of age. Dextrose supplementation with hormone treatment however, did not produce significant additive effect of stage VII cell counts, but .DELTA.5-3.beta.-OH-SDH activity showed additive effect in this age group. Results suggest that adrenal steroids regulate testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis during the prepubertal ages by modifying the supply of dietary glucose.