EFFECT OF INTRATESTICULAR ADMINISTRATION OF ANTI-CORTICOTROPIN-RELEASING FACTOR ANTISERUM (A-CRF) ON TESTICULAR FUNCTION IN NEONATAL RATS

The possible physiological role of testicular corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the regulation of testicular functions was studied in neonatal rats. Two microlitres of anti-CRF-antiserum (dilution: 1 : 10 or 1 : 100) was injected intratesticularly to 5 d-old rats with two t estes and to hemicastrates. Five days after hemicastration and treatme nt of the remaining testis with the antiserum, serum testosterone conc entration and basal testosterone secretion in vitro decreased signific antly. Unilateral testicular injection of a-CRF in rats with two teste s resulted in a significant drop in serum testosterone level with no c hange in basal testosterone production. Data indicate that in neonatal rats testicular CRF might be a local stimulator of steroidogenesis.