β-Adrenergic Agonist Induced Androgen Production during Primary Culture of Mouse Leydig Cells

Abstract

Mouse testicular interstitial cells and Leydig cells prepared by density-gradient centrifugation developed the ability to increase androgen production in response to isoproterenol between 24 and 48 hr of primary culture. Although exposure of the cultures to isoproterenol or cycloheximide inhibited the acquisition of responsiveness to β-adrenergic stimulation, in vivo treatment with propranolol did not alter the time at which cultures became responsive to isoproterenol. It is concluded that the acquisition of β-agonist responsiveness during culture is not a recovery from β-adrenergic desensitization.

Key Words:

• Adrenergic agonists
• Androgens
• Leydig cells.