EFFECT OF SHORT-TERM STARVATION ON LEYDIG-CELL FUNCTION IN ADULT-RATS

An experiment was carried out to analyze the effect of 3 days of starv ation on the Leydig cell function in adult rats. Starvation markedly d ecreased plasma insulin and testosterone levels (p < .05). The weight of testes was maintained, whereas the testicular interstitial fluid vo lume decreased (p < .05). The level of testosterone decreased in this fluid (60%), whereas insulin levels showed no significant change. Puri fied Leydig cells showed normal LH/hCG binding in fasted rats but low insulin binding. The ability of these cells to produce testosterone in vitro was normal under both basal conditions and hCG stimulation in t he absence and presence of insulin in the incubation medium. These dat a suggest that there is no gross impediment in the Leydig cell capacit y to produce testosterone that might explain the starvation-associated decrease in plasma testosterone.