The role of calcium in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (ICI 118630)-stimulated steroidogenesis in rat Leydig cells

The luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist ICI 118630 was found to increase testosterone production in purified rat testis Leydig cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, but no consistent changes in cyclic AMP levels were detectable. The stimulation of steroidogenesis by LHRH agonist was found to be dependent on the concentration of Ca2+ in the incubation medium; at least 1 mM was required. The calcium ionophore A23187 mimicked the effects of the LHRH agonist on steroidogenesis, and addition of both compounds together did not further increase testosterone production. The calcium ionophore caused a small increase in cyclic AMP which was independent of the concentration of the ionophore and of the calcium concentrations. The evidence obtained in this study indicates that LHRH agonist-stimulated steroidogenesis in rat testis Leydig cells is primarily mediated by calcium and not cyclic AMP.