Effect of Testosterone on Central Noradrenergic Nervous System and LHRH

중추 노르아드레날린성 신경계 및 황체호르몬 분비 촉진호르몬에 대한 테스토스테론의 영향

Ralationship between noradrenergic nervous system activity and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone(LHRH) content mediated by testosterone in hypothalamus was tested. Three groups of adult male animals were prepared; (1) Intact; (2) Castration+Vehicle (Cast+V); (3) Castration+Testosterone (Cast+T). Silastic capsule containing vehicle or testosterone was implanted into neck region of animals two weeks following castration. Norepinephrine content, alpha-adrenergic receptor binding characteristics using H$^{3}$-WB4101, and content of LHRH by LHRH RIA procedure were determined. Testosterone replacement to castrated male rats augmented the content of norepinephrine and LHRH. Testosterone replacement increased the alpha-adrenergic receptor density but did not change alpha-receptor affinity. The data from the present study suggest that increase in LHRH content by testosterone may be positively coupled to the activity of central noradrenergic nervous system.