Dihydrotestosterone is a determinant of calcaneal bone mineral density in men.

Male osteoporosis is an increasingly important health problem worldwide. Though androgen deficiency leads to bone loss in men, information on the relative contribution of aromatizable and non-aromatizable androgens in maintaining bone mineral density (BMD) and the mechanisms involved are unclear. This cross-sectional study was designed to explore the same.

Differential response of Leydig cells in expressing 11beta-HSD type I and cytochrome P450 aromatase in male rats subjected to corticosterone deficiency.

Emerging evidence suggests that the glucocorticoid and estradiol are important for Leydig cell steroidogenesis and are regulated via aromatase for estradiol production and 11beta-HSD for oxidatively inactivating glucocorticoid. Although it is known that corticosterone deficiency impaired Leydig cell steroidogenesis, its effect on the expression of Leydig cell 11beta-HSD type I and aromatase are yet to be recognized. Following metyrapone-induced corticosterone deficiency, serum corticosterone and testosterone levels decrease, whereas serum estradiol remains unaltered.

Effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1254) on steroidogenesis and antioxidant system in cultured adult rat Leydig cells.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous and persistent environmental contaminants that disturb normal endocrine functions, including gonadal functions in humans and mammals. In the present study, we examined the direct effects of PCB on rat Leydig cells in vitro. Adult Leydig cells were purified by Percoll gradient centrifugation method and the purity of Leydig cells was also determined by 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) staining method.

Ovariectomy induces oxidative stress and impairs bone antioxidant system in adult rats.

Background: There is increasing evidence suggesting the role of free radicals in bone resorption and bone loss. Ovariectomized rats have been used as the animal model for the study of osteoporosis. Oxidative stress due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause oxidative damage to cells.