STEROIDS IN THE SEMEN OF DOGFISH (SQUALUS ACANTHIAS)

Abstract

SUMMARY 11-Deoxycorticosterone has been found in surprisingly high concentration (ca. 500 μg./100 g.) in the semen of Squalus acanthias. Accompanying steroids are progesterone (8 μg./100 g.), androstenedione (2 μg./100 g.), dehydroepiandrosterone (2 μg./100 g.), pregnenolone (14 μg./100 g.), androsterone (< 5 μg./100 g.) and possibly aldosterone (< 1 μg./100 g.); three unidentified compounds were also detected. Only a small proportion (ca. 5%) of the 11-deoxycorticosterone is present in that portion of the semen which passes an ultrafilter. The remainder is either present as a sperm cell constituent or is bound to extracellular mucoids or proteins.