Effect of α‐chlorohydrin on metabolism and testosterone secretion by rat testicular interstitial cells

The direct effect of α‐chlorochydrin (α‐CH) on basic metabolism (glucose utilitzation and oxygen consumption) and testosterone secretion by isolated rat interstitial cells (I‐cells) has been studied. In the range of concentrations between 5 and 100 μl/ml, only the highest doses of α‐CH decreased cell vitality and their histochemical stain for 3β‐HSD. Oxygen consumption of I‐cells was depressed at all doses higher than 10 μl/ml and this effect was reversible only with doses lower than 50 μl/ml. glucose utilization by I‐cells was depressed significantly by α‐CH and this effect was particularly dramatic with doses higher than 50 μl/ml. α‐CH decreased testosterone secretion by I‐cells, with maximal effects at 100 μl/ml. I‐cells responded to hCG challenge by increasing testosterone secretion, and hCG prevented the toxic effect of α‐CH at the lowest dose (10 μl/ml) of α‐CH, but failed to overcome the effects of a high dose (100 μl/ml).