Horm Metab Res 1999; 31(11): 583-586
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-978800
Originals Basic

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Streptozotocin-Diabetes Impairs Prolactin Binding to Leydig Cells in Prepubertal and Pubertal Rats

S. Sudha, B. Ravi Sankar, G. Valli, P. Govindarajulu, K. Balasubramanian
  • Department of Endocrinology, Dr. A. L. M. Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani, Chennai, India
Further Information

Publication History

1999

1999

Publication Date:
20 April 2007 (online)

Prolactin (PRL) binding to Leydig cells in prepubertal and pubertal streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic and insulin-treated rats was studied. Prepubertal (30-day-old) and pubertal (50-day-old) rats were made diabetic by single injection of STZ (120 and 100 mg/kg b.wt, respectively). After 3 days of STZ administration, a group of rats was given insulin injections subcutaneously (3 U/100 g b.wt/day in 2 equally divided doses). Animals of prepubertal and pubertal groups were killed on postnatal days 51 and 71, respectively. Age-dependent increase in serum testosterone, PRL levels and PRL receptors on Leydig cells were prevented by STZ-diabetes. Insulin administration partly or completely prevented these changes. These results suggest that steroidogenic defects in Leydig cells of prepubertal and pubertal diabetic rats may be associated with decrease in serum PRL levels and its receptors on Leydig cells. Insulin probably has a role in the maintenance of PRL receptor numbers on Leydig cells during pubertal maturation.