Effects of prolactin and LH on the activity of Δ⁵ 3β hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, dihydro orotic dehydrogenase, B hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase in the testis of the dwarf mice

The activity of Δ⁵ 3B hydroxysteroid hydrogenase, dihydro orotic dehydrogenase, B hydroxybutyrate and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase was studied in the testes of hereditary dwarf mice treated with prolactin or LH. Two months old dw/dw dwarf mice were injected twice daily, for 14 days, either with 100 μg ovine prolactin, or 5 μg ovine LH twice a day. Prolactin treatment increased the activity of all the enzymes assessed. Treatment with LH stimulated the activity of all the enzymes as compared to the saline treated animals but less than the prolactin treated ones. The data that the increased activity of several oxidising enzymes in the testes of hereditary dwarf mice is increased with prolactin, is consistent with the suggested effect of this hormone on testicular steroidogenesis.