The effect of starvation, diabetes or hypophysectomy on the testicular function in rat.

Serum levels of testosterone, in vitro production of testosterone and the activity of testicular delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) were measured in normal, starved, streptozotocin diabetic and hypophysectomized rats seven days after initiation of the experiment. Similar impaired testicular functions were found in the starved and diabetic animals. The greatest alteration corresponded to the hypophysectomized group. The 3 beta-HSD activity correlates in all groups with hormone levels or hormone production in vitro. The impaired testicular function in the starved and diabetic groups is discussed.