ACUTE IN-VIVO INHIBITION OF TESTOSTERONE BY ENDOTOXIN PARALLELS LOSS OF STEROIDOGENIC ACUTE REGULATORY (STAR) PROTEIN IN LEYDIG-CELLS

In an experimental endotoxemia model utilizing mice, serum testosteron e was found to be decreased 90% two h post ip injection of 200 mu g of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This decrease was sustained for 9 days. The early depression of serum testosterone was shown to be associated wit h a decrease in Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory (StAR) protein levels w hile the prolonged decrease corresponded to decreased protein and tran script levels of steroidogenic enzymes in Leydig cells. This acute and prolonged depression of testosterone production could lead to impaire d spermatogenesis, accessory duct failure, and contribute to decreased male fertility following acute inflammation.