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Effect of prenatal exposure to hydroxyprogesterone on steroidogenic enzymes in male rats

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Abstract

Pregnant Wistar strain albino rats were administered hydroxyprogesterone and the steroidogenic potential of the testis was analysed in the next generation adult male rats. In utero exposure to supranormal levels (10 mg/kg body weight or 25 mg/kg body weight) of hydroxyprogesterone decreased the activity levels of marker steroidogenic enzymes (3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) of adult (mature) rat testis. Hydroxyprogesterone mediation in the suppression of rat testicular steroidogenesis is suggested, which can be correlated to the observed decrease in male reproductive potential in mammals exposed to female hormones during embryonic development.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Mrs. B. Manjulatha Reddy, Mr. S. Umasankar and Mr. K. Chakrapani for their help in preparing the manuscript. This research was supported financially by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi to P.S.R. in the form of research grant (F-3-54/99). Sri Venkateswara University Ethical Committee approved all the experiments conducted using the rat model, and the present research complies with the laws of the country.

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  1. Department of Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati – 517 502, India

    T. Pushpalatha, P. Ramachandra Reddy & P. Sreenivasula Reddy

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  1. T. Pushpalatha
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  2. P. Ramachandra Reddy
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  3. P. Sreenivasula Reddy
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Correspondence to P. Sreenivasula Reddy.

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Pushpalatha, T., Reddy, P.R. & Reddy, P.S. Effect of prenatal exposure to hydroxyprogesterone on steroidogenic enzymes in male rats. Naturwissenschaften 90, 40–43 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-002-0384-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-002-0384-1

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