Effect of α2u-globulin on serum concentration of gonadotrophins and testicular activity in oestrogen-treated rats

Adult male rats were given injections of oestradiol-17β (50 μg/100 g body wt per day) for 7 days. When they were killed 14 days after the last injection, serum levels of gonadotrophins and testosterone and weights of accessory sex organs were less, testicular 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 17β-HSD activity was suppressed and spermatogenesis was inhibited. Administration of α2u-globulin (1·5 mg/day) for 14 days to oestrogen-treated rats and for 10 days to control rats resulted in increased concentrations of gonadotrophins and testosterone in the serum. Accessory sex organ weight and spermatogenesis appeared to be normal while 17β-HSD activity increased in oestrogen-treated rats after treatment with α2u-globulin. It was concluded that α2u-globulin has an effect on testicular function in oestrogenized rats by inducing gonadotrophin and testosterone synthesis.