The effects of zinc deficiency and testosterone supplement on testosterone synthesis and skeletal muscle of rats
Ai, H.; Chen, J.; He, S.
Wei Sheng Yan Jiu 26(3): 211-215
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 1000-8020 PMID: 10325637 Document Number: 474283
The effects of zinc deficiency and testosterone (T) supplement on T synthesis and skeletal muscle were investigated in zinc-deficient and zinc-replenished rats. The results showed that there were significantly lower weights of body, testes and musculus extensor digitorum longus, lower contents of T in testes and serum and total RNA in the profundus muscularis of quadriceps femoris of zinc-deficient rats. T supplement had no favourable effects on the decreased indices mentioned above. On the contrary, T supplement inhibited the endogenous synthesis of T and caused further atrophy of testes in zinc-deficient rats. The concentrations of actins, DNA and total protein in skeletal muscle were not influenced markedly by zinc deficiency and/or T supplement. It suggested that the decrease of anabolism in skeletal muscle is not related to the low level of T in the rats under the condition of zinc deficiency.