Acute Suppression of Circulating Testosterone Levels by Cortisol in Men*

Abstract

The effect of acute activation of the ACTH-adrenal axis on circulating testosterone (T) levels was investigated. Elevation of circulating cortisol resulting from insulin-induced hypoglycemia or the administration of hydrocortisone was followed by a rapid decrease in serum T levels, without accompanying changes in LH or PRL. These findings suggest that hypercortisolism of endogenous or exogenous sources suppresses T secretion by a direct action on the testis. This adrenal-testicular axis may have biological implications on the reproductive adaptation to stress.