Main description:

It is curious that research in endocrinology has largely ignored the testis until quite recently. There were two impor tant reasons for this neglect; first, methods of study were difficult, and second, sperinatogenesis was considered to be the concern of the urologist or cell biologist but not the endocrinologist. Since it is now almost an ethical imperative that we develop a male contraceptive, and since a host of new techniques can be brought to bear on problems of testis function, research in male reproductive biology has effloresced. In fact, it has become possible to project aseries of workshops on the testis, each dealing with discrete aspects of biochemistry, physiology and pathology. It is fitting that this first Workshop should be on Binding and Activation, since this area is one of the frontiers in endocrinol ogy. At our present rate of progress it is probable that each of the succeeding workshops will likewise bring together leaders in a rapidly developing area. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has the major Federal respon sibility in reproductive biology, and has therefore agreed to sponsor this and succeeding workshops. On behalf of the Institute and for those members of the Committee who have organized this meeting, I welcome you. I am quite sure that this first Workshop on the Testis will initiate aseries of important contributions to scientific thought in male reproduc tive biology. Mortimer B. Lipsett, M. D.

Contents:

1. Gonadotropin binding and activation of the interstitial cells of the testis.- 2. Computer analysis of the binding reaction between hCG and gonadotropin receptors of the rat testis.- 3. Characteristics of soluble gonadotropin receptors for LH and hCG.- 4. Apparent positive cooperativity in the mechanism of action of luteinizing hormone.- 5. Functional groups in ovine luteinizing hormone and their receptor interactions.- 6. Conformational and metabolic aspects of gonadotropins.- 7. The role of carbohydrate in the biological function of human chorionic gonadotropin.- 8. Coupled events in the early biochemical actions of FSH on the Sertoli cells of the testis.- 9. The production of androgen binding protein by Sertoli cells.- 10. FSH binding in rat testes during maturation and following hypophysectomy. Cellular localization of FSH receptors.- 11. Binding of human FSH and its subunits to rat testis.- 12. FSH receptors in rat testes. Chemical properties and solubilization studies.- 13. In Vitro binding and autoradiographic localization of human chorionic gonadotropin and follicle stimulating hormone in rat testes during development.- 14. The effects of FSH on cell preparations from the rat testis.- 15. Evidence for multiple, cell specific, distinctive adenylate cylcase systems in rat testis.- 16. Androgen transport and receptor mechanism in testis and epididymis.- 17. FSH stimulation of testicular androgen binding protein (ABP).- 18. Properties of rat testicular androgen binding properties.- 19. Effects of FSH on levels of androgen binding protein in the testis.- 20. Studies on the correlation between androgen binding and activation of rat epididymal tubules in culture.- 21. Testicular estradiol receptors in the rat.- 22. Conference Summary.