cytochalasin-b and Testicular-Neoplasms

The mechanisms of the requirement of glucose for steroidogenesis were investigated by monitoring the uptake of the glucose analogue 2-deoxy-D-glucose by rat testis and tumour Leydig cells. The characteristics of glucose transport in both of these cell types were found to resemble those of the facilitated-diffusion systems for glucose found in most other mammalian cells. The Leydig cells took up 2-deoxy-D-glucose but not L-glucose, and the uptake was inhibited by both cytochalasin B and forskolin. In the presence of luteinizing hormone, the rate of 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake by both cell types was increased by approx. 50%. In addition to D-glucose, it was shown that the Leydig cells could also utilize 3-hydroxybutyrate or glutamine to maintain steroidogenesis.

Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Bucladesine; Colforsin; Cytochalasin B; Deoxy Sugars; Deoxyglucose; In Vitro Techniques; Leydig Cells; Luteinizing Hormone; Male; Rats; Testicular Neoplasms; Testosterone