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Inhibin B Levels in Plasma of the Male Rat from Birth to Adulthood: Effect of Experimental Manipulation of Sertoli Cell Number

Inhibin B Levels in Plasma of the Male Rat from Birth to Adulthood: Effect of Experimental... ABSTRACT: Sertoli cells undergo important changes in their number and function at different ages in the rat and may be the primary source of circulating inhibin B. The aims of this study were 1) to establish the profile of inhibin B levels from birth to adulthood in normal rats and 2) to identify whether experimental manipulation of Sertoli cell numbers was able to alter this profile. Levels of inhibin B, measured by a specific two‐site assay, increased fivefold in normal Wistar rats between day 3 and days 10–15, plateaued, and then declined in ate puberty to reach adult levels which were ∽60% of those observed on days 10–15. The increase in inhibin B levels in the neonatal period coincided with the period of Sertoli cell multiplication as indicated by incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine. Neonatal treatment of rats with a GnRH antagonist (GnRHa) reduced Sertoli cell number and adult testis weight by 48% and significantly reduced plasma levels of inhibin B at all ages through to adulthood. Induction of neonatal hypothyroidism in Sprague‐Dawley rats by administration of propylthiouracil (PTU) up to day 25 of age increased final testis weight by 41% (indicative of increased Sertoli cell numbers) and resulted in elevation of plasma levels of inhibin B at all ages beyond 7 days of age. The degree of change in inhibin B levels in adult rats in the two experimental treatment groups was approximately proportional to the change in final testis weight. Plasma follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) showed changes opposite to inhibin B, with levels being lowered in PTU‐treated rats and elevated (beyond day 25) in GnRHa‐treated animals. The present results suggest that final Sertoli cell number per testis exerts an important effect on the circulating level of inhibin B (and FSH) in the rat. These findings are compared to the emerging data for the human male. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Andrology Wiley

Inhibin B Levels in Plasma of the Male Rat from Birth to Adulthood: Effect of Experimental Manipulation of Sertoli Cell Number

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References (53)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
ISSN
0196-3635
eISSN
1939-4640
DOI
10.1002/j.1939-4640.1999.tb02501.x
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Sertoli cells undergo important changes in their number and function at different ages in the rat and may be the primary source of circulating inhibin B. The aims of this study were 1) to establish the profile of inhibin B levels from birth to adulthood in normal rats and 2) to identify whether experimental manipulation of Sertoli cell numbers was able to alter this profile. Levels of inhibin B, measured by a specific two‐site assay, increased fivefold in normal Wistar rats between day 3 and days 10–15, plateaued, and then declined in ate puberty to reach adult levels which were ∽60% of those observed on days 10–15. The increase in inhibin B levels in the neonatal period coincided with the period of Sertoli cell multiplication as indicated by incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine. Neonatal treatment of rats with a GnRH antagonist (GnRHa) reduced Sertoli cell number and adult testis weight by 48% and significantly reduced plasma levels of inhibin B at all ages through to adulthood. Induction of neonatal hypothyroidism in Sprague‐Dawley rats by administration of propylthiouracil (PTU) up to day 25 of age increased final testis weight by 41% (indicative of increased Sertoli cell numbers) and resulted in elevation of plasma levels of inhibin B at all ages beyond 7 days of age. The degree of change in inhibin B levels in adult rats in the two experimental treatment groups was approximately proportional to the change in final testis weight. Plasma follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) showed changes opposite to inhibin B, with levels being lowered in PTU‐treated rats and elevated (beyond day 25) in GnRHa‐treated animals. The present results suggest that final Sertoli cell number per testis exerts an important effect on the circulating level of inhibin B (and FSH) in the rat. These findings are compared to the emerging data for the human male.

Journal

Journal of Andrology – Wiley

Published: Feb 2, 1999

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