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Arachidonic acid biosynthesis in non‐stimulated and adrenocorticotropin‐stimulated sertoli and leydig cells
Author(s) -
Hurtado de Catalfo Graciela E.,
Mandon Elisabet C.,
Gómez Dumm Irma N. T.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/bf02536116
Subject(s) - arachidonic acid , corticosterone , medicine , endocrinology , sertoli cell , incubation , biology , biosynthesis , in vitro , metabolism , hormone , in vivo , chemistry , biochemistry , spermatogenesis , enzyme , microbiology and biotechnology
The biosynthesis of arachidonic acid in Sertoli and Leydig cells isolated from the testes of mature rats has been investigated. Both types of cells incorporated [2‐ 14 C]eicosatrienoic acid from the incubation medium and transformed it into arachidonic acid. The administration of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) to the rats decreased the Δ5 desaturating activity in the isolated testicular cells, while ACTH produced no changes in the uptake of the substrate. Similar results were obtained when ACTH was added to the incubation medium of cells isolated from non‐hormone treated rats. The total fatty acid composition of the Sertoli cells isolated from ACTH‐treated rats showed a significant increase in the relative percentage of 18∶2n−6 and a decrease in the C 20 and C 22 polyenes. This may indicate that ACTH exerts an inhibitory effect on Δ6, Δ5 and Δ4 desaturase activities. Addition of corticosterone to the incubation medium also produced a significant decrease in arachidonic acid biosynthesis. Because ACTH is known to stimulate the release of corticosterone in vivo , both hormones may act cumulatively in the regulation of arachidonic acid metabolism in Sertoli and Leydig cells.