Aim: 

To evaluate the presence in rat C6 glioma cells of testosterone and its modulation by morphine, we cultured rat C6 glioma cells in a medium with or without the addition of morphine and of anastrozole able to block the transformation of testosterone in estradiol. The same procedure was repeated with testosterone propionate (TP 10 mM) in cell media.

Methods: 

Confluent cells were exposed to testing media for 48 h, and then detached. Cell pellets were used for protein determination by the method of Lowry and for testosterone determination by RIA.

Results: 

C6 cells contained detectable levels of testosterone, that decreased dose-dependently following morphine administration (M10 mM and M100 mM, p < 0.04 and p < 0.002, respectively). TP increased levels of testosterone (p < 0.0001). Anastrozole increased levels of testosterone regardless of the addition of exogenous TP; morphine co-administration completely and dose-dependently reversed this effect. Morphine administration increased aromatase activity, while anastrozole decreased it.

Conclusion: 

Our findings show that morphine treatment dose-dependently decreases the basal production of testosterone, probably by influencing the activity of aromatase.