Testicular lipogenic enzymes--direct effects of dexamethasone in vivo.

Specific activities of NADP-Isocitrate dehydrogenase, ATP-citrate lyase, Malate dehydrogenase and Malic enzyme were studied in dexamethasone injected and adrenalectomized prepubertal and adult rat testis. 30 days after adrenalectomy the specific activity of NADP-Isocitrate dehydrogenase increased but the specific activities of the other three enzymes decreased in both age groups. An opposite effect was observed after dexamethasone injection to intact animals. The changes observed in the specific activities of enzymes of adrenalectomized and dexamethasone treated animals reverted back to normal after dexamethasone replacement and withdrawal, respectively in adult animals. However, dexamethasone injected intact prepubertal animals did not revert back to normal after the hormone withdrawal.