Effects of excess corticosterone on NADPH generating enzymes and glucose oxidation in Leydig cells of adult rats

Clinical and experimental studies have shown the adverse effects of excess glucocorticoid on testicular testosterone production. The NADPH co-enzyme has been recognized as an important factor that regulates several steps in steroidogenesis, while glucose oxidation acts as a limiting factor on testicular testosterone production. Nevertheless, the impact of excess corticosterone, the stress hormone on testicular NADPH availability and glucose oxidation is unknown. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the specific effects of excess corticosterone on Leydig cell NADPH generating enzymes and glucose oxidation. Adult Wistar rats (200–250 g, b.w.) were treated with corticosterone-21-acetate (2 mg/100 g, b.w., i.m., twice daily) for 10 days and corticosterone-21-acetate plus luteinizing hormone (LH) (100 mg/kg b.w., i.m., daily) for 10 days. After the treatment period, experimental animals and controls were killed, blood was collected and the sera separated for testosterone assay. Testes were remov...