Abstract
To evaluate androgen synthetic pathways in newborn pigs, we isolated microsomes from testes of 2, 6, 10 and 14 day old pigs. Microsomes were incubated with (7- 3H) pregnenolone and/or (4-14C) progesterone. After extraction with ethyl acetate products were identified by co-chromatography with authentic steroids. In contrast to rat and human testicular microsomes, the major products were 5, 16-androstadien-3B-ol (I) and 4, 16-androstadien-3-one (II) from pregnenolone and progesterone respectively. The ratio of I to II decreased with age indicating that 3B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity had increased during the first 2 weeks of life. Other products included dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione, but not testosterone. Although 17-ketosteroid reductase was found in testicular microsomes from boars, it was not present in testicular microsomes from newborn pigs.
Conclusion: The enzymes for the production of I and II are present in testes from newborn pigs. Thus these compounds, which represent 75% of the androgens produced by boars, can also be produced during the newborn period. The production of these compounds and the difference in subcellular localization of 17-ketosteroid reductase are two significant differences in the steroidogenic processes in the testes between piglets and boars or humans.
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Chasalow, F., Blethen, S. 435 DEVELOPMENT OF STEROIDOGENIC ENZYMES IN PIG TESTES DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF LIFE. Pediatr Res 19, 183 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00465
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00465
