Effects of starvation in rats on serum levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and testicular 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity

Abstract

Adult male rats were maintained on the following dietary regimes: full-fed for 28 days (controls); full-fed 21 days followed by no feed for seven days (acutely starved); no feed for seven days followed by 1/4 feed for 14 days (chronically starved); no feed for seven days, 1/4 of the normal diet for 14 days, and complete return of feed for seven days (refed).

Serum testosterone (T) and dihydrote testosterone (DHT) were measured by radioimmunoassay and testicular Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) activity was measured by a pregnenolone depletion method. Prostate, seminal vesicles and seminal fluid weight, as well as number of epidydimal spermatozoa were reduced in all starved groups. Serum androgens and testicular Δ5-3β-HSD activity were significantly reduced in acutely and chronically starved rats. After seven days of refeeding, serum levels of T, DHT, as well as testicular 3β-HSD activity rose to control values. In addition, the accessory organ weights and number of epidydimal spermatozoa followed a similar pattern.

These data provide further evidence that starvation results in impaired testicular function which is reversed by refeeding.