Testicular Recrudescence in the Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus): A Possible Model of Sexual Maturation*

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Abstract
The ability of cultured hamster Sertoli cells to respond to FSH was studied during sexual maturation and photoperiodically induced regression and recrudescence. Serum gonadotropins were also measured in donor animals to determine if changes in LH [luteinizing hormone] and FSH were associated with changes in Sertoli cell response (accumulation of intracellular cAMP). There was a maturational peak of gonadotropins and an age-related decline in the ability of Sertoli cells to respond to FSH; the decline began before the peak of either gonadotropin. During regression, LH and FSH levels fell to or below prepubertal values, and the Sertoli cell response to FSH returned after the testicular wt had fallen from 2000 to 1400 mg/testis. Maximal Sertoli cell response to FSH occurred at approximately 800 mg/testis. During recrudescence, the low serum gonadotropin levels rose, reached a peak and declined again to adult levels. The peak of gonadotropins during recrudescence was larger than that observed during maturation, and the loss of Sertoli cell response to FSH during recrudescence was delayed until after the gonadotropin peak. Apparently testicular recrudescence in the hamster is a dynamic process that approximates sexual maturation, but may be regulated in a somewhat different manner.