DPN- and TPN-C19-steroid dehydrogenases and reductases in accessory sex tissues

Abstract

Homogenates of the seminal vesicles and prostate of the rat and guinea pig and the prostate of the dog and man (benign hyperplasia) interconverted testosterone and androstenedione with the use of DPN (DPNH) and TPN (TPNH) as coenzymes. The activity of the enzymes was so small that detection was possible only after the use of the C14-labeled steroids as substrate. The oxidase activity of the prostate of the dog and the prostate and seminal vesicles of the guinea pig was greater with DPN than with TPN. The tissues of the human and rat demonstrated essentially similar activities with either DPN or TPN. The reductase activity of the TPNH system was more effective than the DPNH system for all animal species. Androsterone and small amounts of epiandrosterone also were formed by dog prostate by the DPNH and TPNH systems, respectively.