A Direct Effect of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate on 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in Adult Rat Testis*

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Abstract
Sixty day old rats were divided into 4 groups and treated for 30 days with either medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera), gonadotropins (bovine LH [luteinizing hormone] and ovine FSH [follicle stimulating hormone], Provera plus gonadotropins or saline. The progestin treatment resulted in a lowering of plasma levels of testosterone, androstenedione and LH, as well as in a reduction of epididymal sperm counts and accessory sex organ weights. The progestin-treated groups showed markedly lower levels of testicular 17.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity (35% of controls) and .DELTA.5,3.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity (70% of controls). Rats treated with only gonadotropins exhibited reduced 17.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase but increased .DELTA.5,3.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities. Progestins may affect testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis not only by reducing LH secretion but also by a direct effect on the testis, as LH suppression could not account for the inhibition of 17.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Long term progestin treatment did not alter the steroidogenic response of the testis to acute administration of LH, although the testosterone to androstenedione ratio in plasma was decreased.

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