Stimulation of aromatase activity in the fetal rat testis by cyclic AMP and FSH
1Laboratoire de Zoologie et d'Embryologie expérimentale, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France.
Abstract:
The effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and FSH on oestrogen biosynthesis was investigated in testes from 18- to 21-day-old fetal rats cultured in vitro in the presence of tritiated testosterone. Oestrone and oestradiol concentrations were measured by determination of constant specific activity after isotopic dilution. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP and FSH markedly stimulated the conversion of testosterone into both oestrone and oestradiol at all stages studied. Oestradiol synthesis was stimulated by two- to sevenfold, while stimulation of oestrone synthesis was even greater. The results demonstrate that the aromatase enzyme system of the fetal rat testis responds to cyclic AMP and FSH.
