Inhibitory action of in vitro ethanol and acetaldehyde exposure on LHRH-and phorbol ester-stimulated testosterone secretion by rat testicular interstitial cells.

ABSTRACT

Ethanol and acetaldehyde have been shown to inhibit testicular steroidogenesis. However the mechanism(s) of signal transduction involved in their action is still unclear. We examined the possible involvement of phospholipid-sensitive, calcium-dependent protein kinase (protein Kinase C, PK-C) in the intracellular mechanism of action of ethanol and acetaldehyde by stimulating testosterone production in rat testicular interstitial cells with LHRH and the phorbol ester PDBu, both of which activate PK-C at receptor (LHRH) and post-receptor (PDBu) sites. Ethanol (2000 mg