Modifications in the testis steroidogenic pathways in rats fed with cottonseed flour.

Suppression of the testicular T production by effect of the CSF has been previously reported. Changes in the testicular content of intermediates and precursors of T biosynthesis were determined in rats fed during 28 days with diets containing 25,35 and 50% of CSF and compared with a defated cottonseed flour diet group and a control Purina-chow diet group. Also described were modifications during a six wk post CSF diet period. The results showed a diminution in pregnenolone and progesterone testicular content to a third and a half of the control values (21.5 and 19.3 pg/mg of protein respectively). Other compounds in the delta 5 pathway, 17 hidroxypregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone were undetectable since the 35% CSF diet, the 17 hidroxyprogesterone diminished to undetectable values only with the maximal (50%) CSF content diet. During the post CSF diet period all the steroids showed a tendency toward the control values. The 25% CSF content diet group reached the initial contents; other groups presented different recovery degrees. The most affected was the 50% diet group with a direct effect of the CSF on the testicular androgen steroidogenesis affecting both the delta 4 and the delta 5 pathways.