Estradiol enhances the stimulatory effect of FSH on testicular maturation and contributes to precocious initiation of spermatogenesis

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2001 Jun 10;178(1-2):89-97. doi: 10.1016/s0303-7207(01)00415-4.

Abstract

Male rats were daily injected with human FSH (hFSH) or estradiol benzoate (EB) or hFSH+EB between day 5 and 15 of life and autopsied on day 16. hFSH accelerated testicular growth, increased number of spermatogonia and serum level of testosterone. hFSH stimulated also spermatogonia differentiation, which resulted in 5-fold increase of the number of spermatocytes. EB given alone induced adverse, inhibitory effects on spermatogenesis and serum testosterone, did not influence serum FSH and LH but increased 14-fold the level of prolactin. Except from testosterone, EB given with hFSH not only overcame inhibitions, but multiplied hFSH stimulatory effects on spermatogenesis up to 30-times of control values. In addition, after FSH+EB premeiotic germ cell ratio reached adult type value precociously. Estradiol may play regulatory roles in testicular maturation (1) inhibitory, direct one or resulting from decrease in testosterone secretion; (2) stimulatory, by enhancement of FSH action, with a possible involvement of prolactin that may act in concert with FSH.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drug Synergism
  • Estradiol / administration & dosage*
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Prolactin / blood
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Seminiferous Tubules / drug effects
  • Seminiferous Tubules / growth & development
  • Sertoli Cells / cytology
  • Sertoli Cells / drug effects
  • Sexual Maturation / drug effects
  • Spermatogenesis / drug effects*
  • Testis / drug effects*
  • Testis / growth & development*
  • Testosterone / blood

Substances

  • Testosterone
  • Estradiol
  • Prolactin
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone