Bromocriptine stimulates testosterone production by mouse testes in vitro

The production of testosterone (T) by decapsulated mouse testes in vitro was significantly stimulated by 2-Br-alpha-ergocriptine (bromocriptine) at concentrations ranging from 1 ng/ml to 5 microgram/ml. In the presence of a low dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), bromocriptine produced a further increase in T production, whereas in the presence of a high concentration of hCG it was ineffective. It is suggested that a direct stimulatory effect of bromocriptine on testicular steroidogenesis may contribute to its therapeutic effects in hyperprolactinemic men.