Influence of adenine-induced chronic renal failure on testicular function in the rat

The influence of adenine-induced chronic renal failure on the male reproductive function was investigated using male Wistar rats. Adenine-induced chronic renal failure was performed in 22 rats (adenine-treated) by providing them with an adenine-excessive diet (150 mg adenine per day) for 10 days. An additional 22 rats were fed without adenine-excessive diet and served as a control group. On days 30 and 60 after start of treatment, body weight ratio to the testis, serum levels of creatinine, urea nitrogen, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), 17 alpha hydroxyprogesterone (17 alpha-OHP), androstenedione and testosterone were measured. During the experiment, progressive elevation of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen was found in adenine-treated rats. Body weight ratio of the testes and serum level of LH in adenine-treated rats were similar to those in the controls. On day 60, the FSH level in adenine-treated rats was significantly higher than that in the controls (P < 0.001). While serum concentrations of 17 alpha-OHP and androstenedione in adenine-treated rats were considerably elevated compared with those in the controls on day 30 (P < 0.05). These concentrations did not differ between the two groups at day 60. Serum testosterone level was reduced in adenine-treated rats (P < 0.001). This reduction was progressive with time (P < 0.05). These results suggest that adenine itself reduces testosterone synthesis by suppressing 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase at the early stage of adenine-induced chronic renal failure, but that progressive renal insufficiency causes an elevation of FSH, a reduced synthesis of testosterone and its precursors at the late stage of adenine-induced chronic renal failure. Thus, hormonal conditions in the male rat with adenine-induced chronic renal failure change with time after induction.