Effect of stress on the profile of plasma steroids in baboons (Papio hamadryas)

Adult baboons (5 males and 5 females) were exposed to immobilization stress by being strapped to a table in a horizontal position for 2 h. In females the experiment was performed during both the follicular and luteal phase. Peripheral blood was withdrawn at frequent intervals, the first sample just before immobilization, and the last one 3 days later. A number of steroids were measured in blood plasma samples by radioimmunoassay (17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, pregnenolone, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, progesterone, 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone, oestone, oestradiol) or competitive protein binding (cortisol) techniques. The cortisol levels exhibited a marked increase in both sexes. This increase was observed already during the immobilization and lasted for approximately 24 h. A similar, even more pronounced increase was seen in 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and pregnenolone levels. A marked, long-lasting (72 h) decrease of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels was a consistent finding in male baboons. This was not observed in the females which, on the other hand, exhibited a marked decrease (duration 48 h) of progesterone and 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone levels during the luteal phase, and a significant decrease (duration greater than 24 h) of oestradiol and oestrone concentrations during the follicular phase. It is concluded that stress has a marked inhibitory action on gonadal function both in male and female baboons. In females and inhibition of steroidogenetic function is exerted both on the ovarian follicles and on the corpus luteum.