Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 57, 671-673, Copyright © 1983 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Acute suppression of circulating testosterone levels by cortisol in men

DC Cumming, ME Quigley and SS Yen

The effect of acute activation of the ACTH-adrenal axis on circulating testosterone (T) levels was investigated. Elevation of circulating cortisol resulting from insulin-induced hypoglycemia or the administration of hydrocortisone was followed by a rapid decrease in serum T levels, without accompanying changes in LH or PRL. These findings suggest that hypercortisolism of endogenous or exogenous sources suppresses T secretion by a direct action on the testis. This adrenal-testicular axis may have biological implications on the reproductive adaptation to stress.

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