A decrease in Star, Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1 and Hsd3b1/2 mRNA expression, and StAR and CYP11A1 protein expression in interstitial testicular cells during the onset/peak of EAE can also be attributed to LH deficiency, which may directly affect the expression of steroidogenic pathway components and/or indirectly by the loss of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial volume and surface area13,31,33–38. The gene discussed is CYP17A1; the disease is hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, familial, 4.