Elevated levels of inhibin-A and immunoreactive inhibin in aged male Wistar rats with testicular Leydig cell tumor

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the endocrine changes that occur in male Tig:Wistar rats with Leydig cell tumors, with special reference to immunoreactive inhibin (ir-inhibin) and its dimeric forms. Adult male rats from 2 to 28 months of age were used. Blood samples were taken to measure plasma concentrations of ir-inhibin, inhibin-A, inhibin-B, 17βestradiol (E2), testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Inhibin bioactivity in both peripheral plasma and testicular extracts was also measured. Rats aged 18 months and older had testicular Leydig cell tumor. Testicular tissue sections from 27-month-old rats examined immunohistochemically showed str..