Summary.In streptozotocin-treated adult male rats, the mechanisms of reduced response of testicular Leydig cells in vitro to stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin was investigated. A decrease in testosterone formation by 70% after 6 weeks of diabetes mellitus is combined with diminished intracellular cyclic AMP accumulation as well as with a disturbance in progesterone conversion to androgens. The latter is also reflected by reduced progesterone binding to the cytochrome P-450 moiety of the steroid-17a-hydroxylase system.Key words: Streptozotocin-diabetes, Leydig cells, human chorionic gonadotropin, cyclic AMP, testosterone production, steroid metabolism, progesterone binding to cytochrome P-450.Disturbances of spermatogenesis are well-known complications of diabetes mellitus in male patients, but there are only few and contradictory data concerning their hormonal state [1].Streptozotocin-induced diabetes mettitus in rats is frequently used as a model for studying late effects of the diabetic state. Among other complications, impairment of testicular function and fertility occurs in these diabetic animals: a spermatogenic arrest at step 7 spermatids was seen similar to that found in hypophysectomized animals [2]. Diminution of testicular androgen production in vivo as well as in vitro (incubation of interstitial cells) was described for streptozotocin-diabetic rats [3,4]. This depression of endocrine testicular function was reported to be the consequence of the small amounts of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) secreted by the hypothalamus and of a reduction of blood lutropin (LH) levels [3]. Testicular functions and fertility could be improved by insulin treatment [4] and restored by means of a combined insulinhuman chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) therapy [5].The present study was undertaken to answer the question (1) can the probable loss of LH receptors on the surface of Leydig cells [6] alone explain diminished testosterone synthesis in testes from streptozotocindiabetic rats ? (2) are there additional disturbances within the steroidogenic pathways which could also be responsible for diabetic testicular injury?
Materials and MethodsMale Wistar rats, weighing 190-210 g at the beginning of the experiment, were used. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg streptozotocin/kg body weight (Calbiochem, GieBen, FRG; freshly prepared in 0.01 mol/l citrate buffer, pH 4.5). The diabetic state was verified by glucosuria 24 h later; venous blood levels of glucose were controlled at least twice weekly using the Ames reflectometer system. Animals exhibiting post prandial blood glucose levels < 3 g/1 were excluded from the diabetic group. In all other cases, duration of diabetes was 3 or 6 weeks as indicated. Control rats were given vehicle injection only. Animals were fed pelleted food and tap water ad libitum.With this dose of streptozotocin, a 95% manifestation rate of hyperglycemia and glucosuria was achieved; mortality rate was 8% (n = 43). The body weight gain was + 1% in diabetic a...