Endocrinology, Vol 127, 2540-2550, Copyright © 1990 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Role of Leydig cells and endogenous inhibin in regulating pulsatile gonadotropin secretion in the adult male rat

MD Culler
Reproductive Neuroendocrinology Section, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the parameters of pulsatile gonadotropin secretion in the adult male rat that are regulated by the suppressive feedback influences provided by factors originating in the Leydig cells or by endogenous inhibin, or both. This was achieved by examining the changes in the secretion parameters of FSH and LH that result from selectively destroying the Leydig cells using the toxicant ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS) or passively immunoneutralizing endogenous inhibin using high-titer anti alpha- inhibin subunit serum, or both. Both FSH and LH were secreted in a pulsatile manner in intact male rats as determined using two different pulse-detection methods. Destruction of the Leydig cells with EDS 6 days before sampling significantly increased basal FSH secretion without affecting pulsatile FSH secretion. Injection of anti-inhibin serum into intact (vehicle treated) males 18 h before sampling produced no observable alteration in any parameter of FSH secretion. Either administration of anti-inhibin serum or castration of rats previously treated with EDS induced further significant, selective increases in the basal parameters of FSH secretion, raising mean FSH to levels comparable to those observed in 6-day castrate rats. When examined individually, however, the parameters of mean trough and peak FSH level and mean pulse amplitude remained significantly higher in the 6-day castrate males. In sharp contrast to the selective effects on basal FSH, destruction of the Leydig cells with EDS dramatically elevated all parameters of LH secretion to levels comparable to those observed in similarly timed castrate rats. Neither immunoneutralization of endogenous inhibin nor castration of EDS-treated rats 18 h before sampling caused any further alteration in any parameter of LH secretion. The results from these studies demonstrate that the Leydig cell provides all of the suppressive influence of the testes on LH secretion and a major portion of the suppressive influence over FSH secretion. This influence is exerted through a suppression of all parameters of LH secretion, but through a selective suppression of basal FSH secretion parameters. Collectively, the results suggest that the Leydig cell-derived influences suppress those parameters of gonadotropin secretion that are mediated by LHRH, acting, at least in part, through a suppression of pituitary sensitivity to LHRH. In the absence of the Leydig cells, endogenous inhibin can be demonstrated to also suppress basal FSH secretion in the adult male rat.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)