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In vitro effects of beta‐endorphin on testicular release of androgens in the lizard podarcis sicula raf
Author(s) -
Ciarcia Gaetano,
Cardone Anna,
Paolucci Marina,
Botte Virgilio
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2795(199611)45:3<308::aid-mrd7>3.0.co;2-w
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , biology , (+) naloxone , beta endorphin , androgen , endorphins , opioid antagonist , opioid peptide , agonist , pituitary gland , secretion , opioid , receptor , hormone
The effects of the proopiomelanocortin‐derived opioid peptide, beta‐endorphin (β‐EP), and of the opioid antagonist, naloxone (NAL), on both basal and pituitary‐stimulated androgen secretion from superfused quiescent and active testes were assessed in the adult lizard, Podarcis sicula . In the absence of the homologous pituitary, in vitro treatment with β‐EP and/or NAL did not affect basal secretion of androgens from quiescent and active testes. Conversely, in the presence of the homologous pituitary, treatment with β‐EP brought about a decrease in androgen secretion in active testes, but no effect on quiescent ones Naloxone counteracted the inhibitory effect of β‐EP in active testes, and enhanced maximal pituitary‐stimulated secretion of androgens in quiescent but not in active testes. The effects produces by β‐endorphin and naloxone were reversible. These results suggest that, in this lizard, opioids might be involved in the control of androgen release. The lack of effect of β‐EP and naloxone when added directly to the testes seems to suggest that the opioid agonist and antagonist act on androgen release by modulating pituitary gonadotrophin output. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.