The effects of testosterone and its 5alpha-reduced metabolites on pituitary responsiveness to gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH).

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of androgens on gonadotrophin release in response to gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) stimulation in vitro. Hemipituitaries of mature male rats were pre-incubated for 90 min with T, DHT, 3alpha- or 3beta-diol (4 ng or 4 microgram/ml medium), and the incubation continued for 240 min after adding Gn-RH (1 ng/ml medium). Gn-RH caused a 4-5-fold rise in the secretion of LH and a 2-fold rise in FSH secretion. The effect of the androgens was dose-dependent. At low levels, T and DHT exerted no effect on Gn-RH-stimulated gonadotrophin release, whereas the two androstanediols (3alpha- and 3beta-diol) augmented the Gn-RH stimulation of both gonadotrophins, though preferentially LH. With high doses of androgens, the results obtained showed: a) no effect of T; b) DHT suppression of the Gn-RH-stimulated FSH release; c) suppression of Gn-RH stimulation by 3alpha- and 3beta-diol regarding both LH and FSH. It is concluded that T exerts through its reduced metabolites a feedback effect on the pituitary gland responsiveness to Gn-RH stimulation.