Effect of alpha-chlorohydrin on metabolism and testosterone secretion by rat testicular interstitial cells

The direct effect of alpha-chlorochydrin (alpha-CH) on basic metabolism (glucose utilization and oxygen consumption) and testosterone secretion by isolated rat interstitial cells (I-cells) has been studied. In the range of concentrations between 5 and 100 microliter/ml, only the highest doses of alpha-CH decreased cell vitality and their histochemical stain for 3 beta-HSD. Oxygen consumption of I-cells was depressed at all doses higher than 10 microliter/ml and this effect was reversible only with doses lower than 50 microliter/ml. glucose utilization by I-cells was depressed significantly by alpha-CH and this effect was particularly dramatic with doses higher than 50 microliter/ml. alpha-CH decreased testosterone secretion by I-cells, with maximal effects at 100 microliter/ml. I-cells responded to hCG challenge by increasing testosterone secretion, and hCG prevented the toxic effect of alpha-CH at the lowest dose (10 microliter/ml) of alpha-CH, but failed to overcome the effects of a high dose (100 microliter/ml).