OESTRADIOL-17β AND TESTOSTERONE IN RAT TESTIS TISSUE: EFFECT OF GONADO-TROPHINS, LOCALIZATION AND PRODUCTION IN VITRO

Abstract

SUMMARY Concentrations of oestradiol-17β and testosterone were estimated in testicular tissue from intact and hypophysectomized rats. Within 30 min after intravenous injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to intact animals the tissue concentrations of both steroids were not significantly changed. Prolonged s.c. administration of HCG (5 days) caused an increase in the tissue levels of both steroids, which was further increased when the prolonged treatment was followed by an intravenous injection with this trophic hormone. FSH had no influence on tissue concentrations of oestradiol-17β or testosterone in hypophysectomized rats. Assay of separated seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue indicated that oestradiol-17β and testosterone were mainly localized in the interstitial tissue. Incubations of these constituents showed that oestradiol-17β was produced in the seminiferous tubules, while testosterone was produced in the interstitial compartment.