Beta-adrenergic stimulation of androgen production by fetal mouse Leydig cells in primary culture.

The responsiveness of fetal mouse Leydig cells to catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine), a beta-agonist agent (L-isoproterenol) and hCG was investigated in vitro. Fetal Leydig cells when freshly isolated were unable to respond to L-isoproterenol (10(-5) M). However, L-isoproterenol, epinephrine and norepinephrine significantly stimulated androgen production by fetal Leydig cells after 24 h of primary culture. Androgen production was increased in both conditions and to a greater extent by hCG. Propranolol blocked the stimulatory effect of L-isoproterenol and epinephrine. It is concluded that catecholamines can regulate fetal testosterone biosynthesis.