The aging Leydig cell: VII. Cytoplasmic estradiol receptors.

Plasma estradiol and cytosolic estradiol receptor levels of testes were determined in a group of young (2-3 months) and old (24 months) Sprague-Dawley rats. Estradiol binding sites for the young rats averaged 5.6 +/- 0.3 fmol/mg protein (x +/- SE, n=12), which was comparable to that of the old rats, 5.7 +/- 0.3 fmol/mg protein (n=12). Using Scatchard analyses, the association constants at equilibrium of estradiol receptor binding of the old and young rats were the same, 6.1 x 10 10 M-1. Plasma estradiol levels were also similar in both groups-19.6 +/- 2.8 pg/ml (n=14) for the young and 19.2 +/- 2.6 pg/ml (n=10) for the old rats. Our results suggest that impaired testosterone biosynthesis in old rats was not due to elevated plasma estradiol levels or to differences in testicular estradiol receptor content.