Adult male rats were given s.c. injections of melatonin (400 μg/100 g body weight per day) for 14 days. On day 15, the weights of the testis and accessory sex organs were less, testicular 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) activity was inhibited, spermatogenesis was suppressed and serum levels of gonadotrophins, testosterone and α2u-globulin were decreased compared with control animals injected with vehicle. In a third group of rats given the same dose of melatonin for 14 days, administration of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) at a dose of 25 μg/100 g body weight per day on days 8–14 resulted in serum levels of α2u-globulin, FSH, LH and testosterone and testicular 17β-HSD activity similar to those seen in vehicle-injected control animals. Weights of the testes and accessory sex organs and spermatogenesis were normal after administration of DHT in melatonintreated rats. In another group of rats, the depressive effects of melatonin treatment on plasma gonadotrophins were reversed by the administration of α2u-globulin on days 8–14. It was concluded that treatment with DHT prevents the depressive action of melatonin on testicular function by inducing the synthesis of α2u-globulin.
Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 126, 431–435
Journal of Endocrinology is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| PDF Downloads | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Online ISSN: 1479-6805
Print ISSN: 0022-0795
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519
