SERUM GONADOTROPHINS IN RATS AFTER CASTRATION OR HEAT TREATMENT OF THE TESTES

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Abstract
In rats spermatogenesis was disturbed by heat treatment of the testes. This resulted in increases of both LH [luteinizing hormone] and FSH [follicle stimulating hormone]. The increased gonadotropin levels could be suppressed with testosterone. For suppression of FSH to levels of control animals more testosterone was needed than for LH. The increase of gonadotropins after castration could be suppressed with testosterone released evenly from silastic capsules. For this suppression low serum levels of testosterone relative to testosterone levels in intact control animals were sufficient. Testosterone episodically secreted may have a lesser suppressive action on gonadotropin secretion than a constant presence of this hormone. The suppressive action of testosterone on serum gonadotropin levels after castration was potentiated by 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione, a steroid which inhibits strongly the enzymatic transformation of testosterone into estradiol.