Regulation of steroidogenesis by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the rat testis: differential involvement of GC-A and C receptors.

Previous studies have established a stimulatory effect of natriuretic peptides (NP) on testosterone production in mouse Leydig cells as intense as that of LH. Chronic administration of ANP in mice, on the other side, reduced testosterone levels. So, the understanding of the role of ANP on testicular steroidogenesis has been impaired by discrepant findings.