INTERRELATION BETWEEN ADRENAL FUNCTION AND FORMATION OF TESTOSTERONE IN VIVO IN THE TESTIS OF THE DOG

Abstract

ABSTRACT When testes of normal, anaesthetized dogs were infused with the animal's own adrenal venous blood (oxygenated) via the spermatic artery, the secretion of testosterone was higher than by testes infused with the animal's own peripheral, arterial blood. This augmentation in testosterone secretion is probably due to increased biosynthesis of testosterone since the tissue concentration of the hormone at the end of infusion was highest in testes infused with adrenal venous blood. The canine adrenal gland secretes large amounts of progesterone and androst-4-enedione. A minute secretion of free dehydroepiandrosterone can be measured in adrenal venous blood, but no evidence was obtained that the dog adrenal secretes testosterone. The adrenal venous blood of the dog appears to contain a precursor for dehydroepiandrosterone, since testes infused with adrenal venous blood secreted more dehydroepiandrosterone than testes infused with femoral arterial blood. The gonad of the male dog does not secrete progesterone, but secretes free dehydroepiandrosterone, androst-4-enedione and testosterone, the latter compound being the major hormonal product of this tissue. The data have been discussed with regard to a possible adrenal-testicular interaction in the male dog.