J Korean Androl Soc.  1994 Dec;12(2):83-91.

Effect of Dihydrotestosterone Enanthate on Serum Concentrations of Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone and Testis Weight and Volume in Mice

• Yang HW
• Yoon YD

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of dihydrotestosterone enanthate(DHTE) on the testis and the serum concentrations of testosterone(T) and dihydrotestosterone(DHT) and to compare these with those of testosterone enanthate(TE). Either TE or DHTE in a dose of 2mg was administered as a single irtraperitoneal injection to male mice(ICR strain), and serum specimens and testes were collected at regular intervals for 1hr to 24 days. Histologic differences in the testis were observed by conventional histochemical methods following the measurement of the weight and volume of the organ. The concentrations of T and DHT in the serum were determined by radioimmunoassay. The weight and volume of the testes in animals treated with TE increased rapidly within 1 day and then decreased to the level of the control group by the 3rd day after injection. This phenomenon correlated dlosely with the change in the serum concentration of T but not that of DHT. To the contrary, the weight and volume of the testes in animals treated with DHTE did not not increase greatly but did increases gradually to a constant level. The serum concentration of T remained constant regardless of the change in the tests, which depends on the level of DHT. Histologic examination showed an increase in the interstinal space between the seminiferous tubules in the testes in which the weight and volume had increased. In conclusion, TE had transient effects on the weight and volume of the testis and on the concentration of T and DHT in the serum, whereas DHTE had more long-lasting effects. The present study suggests that DHTE used for androgen substitution may be effective longer than TE in restoring reproductive function in the male patient with hypogonadism.

MeSH Terms

Animals
Dihydrotestosterone*
Humans
Hypogonadism
Male
Mice*
Radioimmunoassay
Seminiferous Tubules
Testis*
Testosterone*
Dihydrotestosterone
Testosterone