Regulation of Leydig Cell Sensitivity and Responsiveness to LH/hCG

Abstract

The present paper discusses some of the problems which are involved in evaluating hormonal effects on the responsiveness of Leydig cells to LH/hCG. It describes, with several examples, how different peptide and steroid hormones can alter the sensitivity and magnitude of the in vitro response of rat Leydig cells to gonadotrophins. These alterations in responsiveness and sensitivity may be mediated through effects on the number of LH/hCG. receptors (LH, prolactin, glucocorticoids), the activity of the phosphodiesterase (LH, androgens) or the steroidogenic enzymes (androgens, oestrogens, antiandrogens). The fact that the responsiveness and sensitivity of Leydig cells to LH/hCG can be manipulated in such a way, gives support to the proposals suggesting that regulation of target cell sensitivity to hormones may be as fruitful as the current attempts of controlling male fertility, which mainly aim at controlling hormone production.