抄録
Basal as well as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-stimulated plasma levels of testosterone were investigated in rats after different periods on a pantothenic acid (PA)-deficient diet. No clear effects of PA deficiency on circulating testosterone concentration were discernible when blood samples of resting (untreated) animals were examined. However, following long-term stimulation with hCG (100IU hCG/day, administered i.m. on 4 consecutive days) the secretory capacity for testosterone as reflected by the plasma androgen responses was found to be markedly reduced in PA-deficient compared with pair-weight fed control rats. Additional measurements of cholesterol in high density lipoproteins revealed that this primary source of precursors for steroid hormone synthesis in the rat is unaffected following a PA depletion. These results are discussed with respect to lowered tissue levels of coenzyme A on the one hand and testicular degeneration on the other hand, both occurring regularly in an advanced PA deficiency stage.
