Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-Ⅰand -Ⅱ stimulate steroidogenesis in prepubertal murine Leydig cells in vitro

• 来源期刊: 亚洲男性学杂志(英文版)
• 年，卷（期）: 2008,（6）
• 页码范围: 929-936
• 页数: 8页
• 语种: 英文
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2008.00434.x

摘要

Aim: To study the effect and mechanism of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on murine Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Methods: Purified murine Leydig cells were treated with CmRH-Ⅰ and -Ⅱ agonists, and testosterone production and steroidogenic enzyme expressions were determined. Results: GnRH-Ⅰand -Ⅱ agonists significantly stimulated murine Leydig cell steroidogenesis 60%-80% in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of steroidogenic acute regulatory (STAR) protein, P450scc, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), but not 17α-hydroxylase or 17β-HSD, were significantly stimulated by both GnRH agortists with a 1.5- to 3-fold increase (P < 0.05). However, only 3β-HSD protein expression was induced by both GnRH agonists, with a 1.6- to 2-fold increase (P < 0.05). Conclusion: GnRH directly stimulated murine Leydig cell steroidogenesis by activating 3β-HSD enzyme expression.