Reproductive insufficiency in the male rat with adenine-induced chronic renal failure

The effect of adenine-induced chronic renal failure on the male reproductive system was studied using male Wistar rats. On the 30th experimental day, serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were elevated in adenine-treated rats. Body weight ratio of the testes and serum levels of gonadotropins (luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone) in adenine-treated rats were similar to those in the controls. Serum testosterone level was reduced in adenine-induced uremic rats, but serum concentrations of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione were increased in the uremic group. These results suggest that adenine-induced chronic renal failure reduces testicular function by suppressing 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase which converts androstenedione to testosterone.