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Molecular Pharmacology, Vol 15, 633-640, Copyright © 1979 by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

Site of Inhibition of Leydig Cell Testosterone Synthesis by Dgr1-Tetrahydrocannabinol

SUMNER BURSTEIN 1, SHEILA A. HUNTER 1, and T. SCOTT SHOUPE 1

1 Department of Biochemistry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605

The lowering of testosterone levels in both humans and experimental animals is apparently one of the effects caused by exposure to marihuana or certain of its components. This effect could be produced either by an indirect action on the central nervous system or by a direct action on the testes, specifically the Leydig cells. Using isolated murine Leydig cells as a model, a stepwise examination of the steroidogenic pathway was carried out to locate the site of action of Dgr1-tetrahydrocannabinol in this system. The evidence points to the release of "precursor" cholesterol from its ester storage form as the point of inhibition. Generally, the pharmacological effects of marihuana have been difficult to link to a specific biochemical process. The findings reported here provide an example where such a correlation may be possible.

Submitted on August 21, 1978
Accepted on October 31, 1978




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S Dalterio, A Bartke, and D Mayfield
Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol increase plasma testosterone concentrations in mice
Science, July 31, 1981; 213(4507): 581 - 583.
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