Abstract

Cultured rat Leydig cells secreted considerable amounts of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). A major stimulus for Leydig cell-derived CRF was the trophic hormone LH/hCG, which released the peptide in a dose dependent fashion. Incubation of Leydig cells with a CRF antagonist revealed tonic suppression of basal and hCG-stimulated testosterone production by endogenously produced CRF. These findings demonstrate that CRF acts via functional Leydig cell receptors to exert autocrine inhibitory actions on Leydig cell steroidogenesis. In the testis CRF acts as an antireproductive hormone and as a major local inhibitory regulator of Leydig cell function.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.