Abstract
The effects of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) on testicular aromatase activity has been studied using primary cultures of porcine Leydig cells. After culture for 3 days in the absence or presence of FGF, the ability of the cells to produce estrogen was examined in a 4h-test period in which either (a) hCG (10 −9 M) or (b) androstenedione (3×10 −6 M) was added to the medium. FGF produced a 3- to 20-fold increase in estrogen formation from endogenous or exogenous substrate during the test period, in spite of a marked decrease (⋍ 60%) in [ 125I]-hCG binding and no significant change in testosterone concentration. Stimulation of estrogen secretion by FGF was dose-(ED 50⋍2 ng/ml) and time-dependent, the first and maximal effects were observed after 12h and 48h, respectively. Preliminary tests with several other factors (insulin, EGF, TGF-β, FSH and hCG) showed that hCG alone directly stimulated aromatase activity. From these findings a role is suggested for FGF as a paracrine/autocrine agent in the control of estrogen secretion by Leydig cells.
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