| Abstract: | Effects of gonadotropins on androgen levels in rete testis fluid (RTF) of the ram were investigated. Injection of 750 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or 1 mg luteinizing hormone (LH) caused an increase in the concentration of both RTF androgens. The elevation of androgen levels in RTF was smaller, occurred later and persisted for a longer period of time than did the increase in peripheral testosterone concentration. There was a significant negative correlation an .05) between pretreatment levels of testosterone and the LH- or HCG-induced elevation in plasma and RTF androgen levels. Injections of 5 or 10 mg follicle stimulating hormone was ineffective in altering the androgen levels in RTF ata indicate that gonadotropins can cause acute changes in the androgen levels in seminiferous tubules and suggest that the androgen levels in seminiferous tubules and suggest that the androgen concentrations in the is much more stable than that in the peripheral plasma. |
