EFFECT OF INDOMETHACIN ON BLOOD PLASMA LEVELS OF LH AND TESTOSTERONE IN MALE RATS

Abstract
Treatment of adult male rats with indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, caused a significant decrease in LH and testosterone levels in the blood plasma and in the weight of the seminal vesicles, but the weight of the testes and ventral prostate, the levels of FSH in the plasma and fertility were not affected. The concentration of PGF in the blood plasma of the treated animals was reduced, even though measurable amounts of PGs were present in every group. The results of this study, together with the known effects of PG administration on LH release, suggest that the reduction of plasma LH levels in rats injected with indomethacin was due to decreased PG synthesis. It appears that PGs are normally involved in the regulation of LH release.