Steroid Hormone Metabolism in Porcine Reproductive Systems

The porcine reproductive system relies on tightly regulated steroid hormone metabolism to coordinate gonadal development, gametogenesis and accessory gland function. Within the testis and ovaries, cholesterol is converted into pregnenolone by CYP11A1, initiating divergence into androgenic and oestrogenic pathways via 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (eg HSD17B3) and aromatisation. Tissue-specific expression of enzymes and transporters creates unique steroid profiles in the testis, prostate and accessory glands, modulating local concentrations of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and oestradiol. Conjugating enzymes catalyse sulphation and glucuronidation, forming circulating reservoirs that can be reactivated in peripheral tissues. Steroid receptors—including the nuclear androgen receptor and oestrogen receptors α and β, as well as the membrane-bound G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor—mediate both classical genomic signalling and rapid non-genomic responses, underpinning processes from neonatal glandular growth to puberty and adult fertility. Disruption of enzymatic activity through pharmacological inhibition or genetic variation affects steroid distribution between free and conjugated forms, with consequences for reproductive performance, boar taint and potential applications in animal welfare and biomedical research. Advances in ‘omics’ and network analysis have revealed coordinated expression modules centred on key hub genes, illuminating the architecture of steroid pathways. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for optimising breeding strategies, designing alternatives to surgical interventions and employing the pig as a model for human endocrine disorders.

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Steroid Hormone Metabolism in Porcine Reproductive Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in steroid hormone metabolism in porcine reproductive systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Aromatase: Enzyme (CYP19A1) that converts androgens to oestrogens.

Sulphation: Conjugation of steroids by sulphotransferase enzymes, forming inactive reservoirs.

CYP11A1: Enzyme catalysing the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, initiating steroidogenesis.

HSD17B3: Enzyme converting androstenedione into testosterone.

Nuclear androgen receptor (AR): Ligand-activated transcription factor mediating androgenic genomic effects.

G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor (GPER): Membrane receptor mediating rapid non-genomic oestrogen signalling.

References

1. Tissue steroid levels in response to reduced testicular estrogen synthesis in the male pig, Sus scrofa. PLOS ONE (2019).
2. Correlation Networks Provide New Insights into the Architecture of Testicular Steroid Pathways in Pigs. Genes (2021).
3. Development of Porcine Accessory Sex Glands. Animals (2024).