ANDROGENS IN TESTICULAR VENOUS BLOOD IN THE ADULT RAT

Abstract

A simple method for the collection of pure testicular venous blood (abbr. TV-blood) in the rat is presented. Testosterone and androstenedione were measured both in TV-blood and in the testis, using 88 adult rats with and without HCG pretreatment.Testosterone was the major androgen elaborated by the adult rat testis. Following a short treatment with HCG, the level of testosterone was elevated about 8 times in TV-blood and concentration was doubled in the testis. Androstenedione after stimulation with HCG, increased to a detectable level in both TV-blood and the testis.