Assessment of Testicular Corticosterone Biosynthesis in Adult Male Rats

Abstract

Corticosterone is synthesized in the adrenal glands and is circulated throughout the body to perform regulatory functions in various tissues. The testis is known to synthesize and secrete testosterone and other androgens. We developed an accurate method to measure steroid content using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. In the present study, significant levels of the precursor compounds of testosterone and corticosterone synthesis could be detected in rat testis using this method. After adrenalectomy, corticosterone remained in the blood and testicular tissue at approximately 1% of the amount present in the control testis. When the excised testicular tissue was washed and incubated with NADH, NADPH and progesterone, not only testosterone and its precursors but also 11-deoxycorticosterone and corticosterone were produced; the levels of 11-deoxycorticosterone and corticosterone increased with incubation time. The production rate of 11-deoxycorticosterone from progesterone was estimated to be approximately 1/20 that of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and the corticosterone level was approximately 1/10 that of testosterone. These ratios coincided with those in the testicular tissue of the adrenalectomized rats, indicating that corticosterone was synthesized in the testis and not in the blood. A primary finding of this study was that corticosterone and testosterone were synthesized in a 1/10-20 ratio in the testis. It is concluded that corticosterone, which has various functions, such as the regulation of glycolysis and mediating spermatogenesis, is produced locally in the testis and that this the local production is convenient and functional to respond to local needs.

Microenvironmental signals govern the cellular identity of testicular macrophages

“…Of note, even after adrenalectomy, corticosterone concentrations in testicular IF remained higher than in the serum. These findings, supported by a previous study, indicate the possibility that corticosterone could be produced intratesticularly . More detailed recent analysis revealed that, among the testicular cells, TM are the principal source of corticosterone production in the male gonad .…”

Lifestyle and fertility: the influence of stress and quality of life on male fertility

“…Pre-clinical data have shown that acute stress might impair testicular function; testicular tissue from stressed rats shows higher levels of cortisol displayed apoptosis of both germ cells and Leydig cells [ 14 , 15 ]. By contrast, the net effects of stress might be determined by chronic as demonstrated by the presence of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in Leydig, [ 16 ], Sertoli [ 17 ] and germs cells [ 15 ]; permanently high levels of glucocorticoid are believed to induce apoptosis of all cell types [ 15 – 17 ]. The Leydig cell is the primary target of glucocorticoid regulation in the testes.…”

Toxic effects of triptolide on adrenal steroidogenesis in H295R cells and female rats

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that TP can suppress corticosterone/cortisol synthesis and secretion in vivo and in vitro. Maeda et al found that corticosterone was involved in the regulation of glycolysis and spermatogenesis. Because TP (even at a dose of 50 μg/kg) not only induces decreases in sperm motility and effects on the epididymal structure in the testicles but also prolongs the estrous cycle and reduces the relative weights of the ovary and uterus, corticosteroids are likely potential biomarkers.…”

“…Thirty‐six female Wistar rats (aged 8‐10 weeks and weighing 180‐220 g) were purchased from Beijing Vital River Laboratory Animal Technology Co, Ltd (Beijing, China, License number: SCXK, Beijing, 2016‐0006), and housed at the Experimental Animal Center of China Pharmaceutical University under specific pathogen free (SPF) conditions with food and water provided ad libitum. The CIA model was established in half of the rats, and the induction and assessment of the CIA model were performed as previously described . Briefly, the Wistar rats were immunized with 200 µg of bovine type II collagen (Chondrex, Seattle, WA) emulsified in an equal volume of complete Freund's adjuvant (Sigma, Deisenhofen, Germany).…”