The Effect of Cocaine and its Metabolites on Sertoli Cell Function

Abstract

Purpose We determined the in vitro effects of cocaine and its 2 major metabolites, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine, on Sertoli cell function. Materials and Methods Sertoli cells were isolated from 18 to 20-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Sertoli cells were incubated with 4 concentrations (6.25 × 10 sup −5, 2.5 × 10 sup −4, 1 × 10 sup −3 and 4 × 10 sup −3 M./l.) of cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Transferrin and androgen-binding protein secretion was measured to determine the effect of cocaine and its metabolites on Sertoli cell function. Results Cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine had the ability to decrease transferrin secretion. The 2 highest doses of cocaine (1 × 10 sup −3 and 4 × 10 sup −3 M./l.) significantly decreased transferrin production at 24, 48 and 72 hours. The effects of benzoylecgonine and ecgonine on transferrin production were less pronounced than those of cocaine. Androgen-binding protein secretion was also decreased by exposure to cocaine and its metabolites although the decrease was less marked compared to that of transferrin production. Conclusions We demonstrated in vitro harmful effects of cocaine and its 2 major metabolites on Sertoli cell function, as measured by transferrin and androgen-binding protein production.