THE ROLE OF TESTOSTERONE AND ANDROSTENEDIONE AS PRECURSORS OF EPITESTOSTERONE IN GUINEA PIGS (IN VIVO AND IN VITRO STUDIES)

Abstract

ABSTRACT After injection of [7α-3H] androstenedione and [4-14C] testosterone into male and female guinea pigs, doubly labelled aetiocholanolone, 5α-androstanedione and epiandrosterone were identified in the urine. No epitestosterone was detected. Ovaries, testes, adrenals and liver slices were incubated with the same precursors. Epitestosterone production was observed in all organs except in the adrenals. According to the epitestosterone 3H/14C ratio, it can be concluded that in guinea pigs an interconversion of testosterone, androstenedione and epitestosterone takes place. In liver, androstenedione is preferentially converted to epitestosterone without sex differences, whereas in ovary and testis epitestosterone derives preferentially from testosterone.