Characterization of adrenergic control of the Leydig cell steroidogenesis: identification of both stimulatory and inhibitory components

Percoll-purified Leydig cells were studied in vitro in order to evaluate the effect of adrenaline on testosterone (T) secretion. Adrenaline enhanced the basal and potentiated the hCG-induced T release. A similar effect was also obtained with the ß2-agonist, salbutamol. Although phenyleprine, an alfa1-agonist, did not alter the basal T secretion, it enhanced hCG-mediated T secretion. Para-aminoclonidine, an alfa2-agonist, decreased the basal T release without altering the HCG-stimulated T release. These data demonstrate that either inhibitory or stimulatory effects on T release can be obtained and that they depend on the adrenoreceptor subtype involved

Aumento da espessura do epitélio da vesícula seminal do rato, em resposta ao excesso de testosterona plasmática / Increase in the rat seminal vesicle epithelial height in response to excess plasma testosterone level

Investigou-se a resposta morfológica da vesícula seminal do rato adulto ao excesso de testosterona. No período compreendido entre 24 h e 14 dias de tratamento com hCG, os níveis plasmáticos de testosterona exibiram aumento progressivo de duas a cinco vezes os valores basais, enquanto a altura das células secretoras da vesícula seminal apresentou aumento constante de cerca de 20%