Interaction of dexamethasone and dehydroepiandrosterone on testicular ascorbic acid and cholesterol in prepubertal rat.

A sharp decline of cholesterol and ascorbic acid in the immature testicular tissues was observed after treatment with two dosages of dexamethasone (DXM) i.e., 20 and 40 micrograms i.p. for 10 days daily to 10-day old rats weighing around 40gms. Reversal of these effec s was noted with the concurrent administration of 80 micrograms dehydroepiandrosterone (DEAT) along with both doses of DXM over a similar period. However, 20 micrograms of DEAT was found to be ineffective when administered concurrently with DXM in either of the dosage levels demonstrate the functional roles of ascorbic acid and cholesterol in the prepubertal rat testis.