Effect of corticosterone on serum concentrations of alpha 2 micro-globulin and on spermatogenesis in oestrogen-treated rats.

Treatment of adult male rats with oestradiol-17 beta (50 microgram/100 g body wt per day for 7 days) resulted 14 days later in reduced levels of alpha 2 micro-globulin in serum and inhibition of spermatogenesis. Administration of corticosterone (2 mg/day) for 14 days to oestrogen-treated rats raised the concentration of alpha 2 micro-globulin in the serum and prevented spermatogenic degeneration. It is concluded that endogenous alpha 2 micro-globulin induced by corticosterone may play a role in spermatogenesis in oestrogenized rats.