Effects of cisplatin and bleomycin on mature rat Leydig cell testosterone production

A single i.p. injection of either cisplatin or bleomycin affects the testosterone production by the Leydig cells in mature rats. It is noteworthy that on day 30 after treatment, a complete recovery of Leydig cell function is found in bleomycin-treated rats whereas in cisplatin-injected animals, 25-48% decreases of testosterone synthesis are still observed, respectively, under basal and LH-stimulated conditions. Together with the germ cell destruction, the low testosterone levels probably contribute to the sterility in cisplatin-treated rats.