Metabolism in vitro of testosterone (T) to 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstane-3-one (DHT) and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α) by the 800 g supernatant fraction of ileum from rats

• Published in: Journal of steroid biochemistry Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 683 - 686
• Main Authors: Eik-Nes, Kristen B., Stenstad, Per, Lofthus, Ragnhild
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 1983
• ISSN: 0022-4731
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-4731(83)90235-2

The 800 g supernatant fraction of ileum from rats was incubated with testosterone and production of 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstane-3-one and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol measured. No difference in this production could be determined between ileum from mature female and mature male animals. Ileum from immature rats staying with their mothers from day 12 to day 21 showed increased 5α-reduction of testosterone on days 15, 17 and 21. Ileal metabolism to 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstane-3-one and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol was increased in immature animals on day 25 of extrauterine life when consuming rat chow and water ad libitum from day 21. This increase could not be demonstrated on day 28. Immature and mature animals treated either with long-acting ACTH or dexamethasone showed increased ileal conversion of testosterone to the two 5α-reduced metabolites determined. Ileum from mature male rats injected, subcutaneously, with arabinosylcytosine every 8th h for 2 days exhibited increased metabolism of testosterone to 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstane-3-one and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol from the 1st to the 6th day after the last injection of arabinosylcytosine. Different aspects of intestinal metabolism of testosterone are discussed.