Estrogen dependence of a gonadotropin-induced steroidogenic lesion in rat testicular Leydig cells

Leydig cells isolated from the testes of rats treated with intravenous exogenous gonadotropin (hCG) or subcutaneous gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) show markedly decreased luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors and a partial block in testicular 17,20 desmolase activity. In contrast, Leydig cells from animals with equivalent degrees of LH receptor loss induced by subcutaneous hCG treatment show no change in 17,20 desmolase activity. These findings indicated that the acuteness of gonadotrophic stimulation, rather than the extent of LH receptor loss, was responsible for the steroidogenic lesion. A role of estradiol in the enzymatic block produced in vivo by acute elevation of circulating gonadotropin (intravenous hCG or GnRH-stimulated endogenous LH) was suggested by rapid elevations of testicular 17beta-estradiol within 30 min after intravenous hCG, whereas more gradual increases in estradiol occurred 4-8 h after subcutaneous hCG. The inhibitory effect of endogenous estrogen on testicular steroidogenesis was confirmed by the ability of an estrogen antagonist (Tamoxifen) to prevent the reduction of testosterone responses caused by intravenous hCG and subcutaneous GnRH. In addition, Tamoxifen significantly increased the number of LH receptors in Leydig cells from both control and gonadotropin-desensitized animals. These findings indicate that the acute elevations of intratesticular estrogen produced by treatment with hCG or GnRH are responsible for the steroidogenic lesion seen in gonadotropin-desensitized Leydig cells. These results also suggest that locally produced estrogens contribute to the regulation of testicular LH receptors and 17,20 desmolase activity.