Effect of testosterone on adrenal corticosteroidogenesis in lithium treated male rats.

Lithium chloride at a dose of 200 micrograms/100 g body weight/day given for 21 days caused a significant increase in adrenal weight, adrenal 5-ene-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (5-ene-3 beta-HSD) activity along with elevation in serum level of corticosterone on the 22nd day in the rat. Administration of testosterone for the last 14 days to lithium treated rats caused a significant decrease in adrenal weight, adrenal 5-ene-3 beta-HSD activity and serum level of corticosterone in comparison to lithium treated animals.