Andrenogonadal interactions in nicotine-induced alteration of steroidogenesis in male rat

Chronic nicotine administration in larger doses inhibits steroidogenesis in testis. This inhibition is possibly secondary to increased adrenomedullary norepinephrine activity, since the anti-steroidogenic effect of nicotine can be prevented by alpha-adrenergic blocker like phentolamine. In vitro incubation of testicular slices with nicotine failed to elicit any appreciable effect on delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity indicating lack of direct action of nicotine on testicular steroidogenesis.