Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Hydroxytestosterones”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

The use of macroporous microcarriers for the large-scale growth of V79 cells genetically designed to express single human cytochrome P450 isoenzymes and for the characterization of the expressed cytochrome P450.

In this study, macroporous microcarriers were used for the large-scale growth of parental V79 cells and V79 cells genetically engineered to express a single human cytochrome P4501A1 isoenzyme (V79h1A1). Starting from 2 x 10(5) cells/ml, approximately 1 x 10(7) cells/ml could easily be harvested after 6 days in the case of the V79h1A1 cells, resulting in a total of 3.6 x 10(10) cells. For the first time, the presence of cytochrome P450 (CYP) in the expressed V79 cells could be demonstrated by CO difference spectra with a Soret maximum around 450 nm. CYP levels in microsomes derived from the V79h1A1 cells of 14 pmol/mg protein were achieved. Importantly, no CYP was detected in microsomal fractions of the parental V79 cells. Cytochrome b5 levels could also be measured by difference spectrophotometry. No significant differences were found between cytochrome b5 levels in microsomes derived from the large-scale growth of V79h1A1 cells and parental V79 cells, i.e., 16.7 +/- 7.9 vs 14.5 +/- 7.6 pmol/mg protein. The presence of human cytochrome P4501A1 (CYPh1A1) in microsomal fractions derived from the large-scale growth of V79h1A1 cells was further substantiated by measuring 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-dealkylase (ECOD), and testosterone-6 beta-hydroxylation activities. EROD, ECOD, and testosterone-6 beta-hydroxylation activities of the V79h1A1 microsomes were 40 pmol resorufin/min/pmol CYPh1A1, 13 pmol hydroxy-coumarin/min/pmol CYPh1A1, and 0.16 pmol 6 beta-hydroxytestosterone/min/pmol CYPh1A1, respectively, indicating the presence of a highly active human CYP1A1 enzyme system. Further confirmation that the CYP protein was correctly expressed was obtained by Western blotting. In conclusion, the use of macroporous microcarriers is suitable for large-scale growth of V79 cells expressing human CYP isoenzymes. The present method may provide an easy and rather inexpensive tool in obtaining large quantities of microsomes containing human CYP isoenzymes, which are involved in the bioactivation and bioinactivation of xenobiotics. High yields of microsomes containing human CYP isoenzymes may substantially facilitate the production of sufficient quantities of human metabolites to allow isolation and identification in an early stage of development of pharmacologically interesting drugs.

Animals↗

The use of transgenic cell lines for evaluating toxic metabolites of carbamazepine.

Human lymphoblastoid cell lines transgenic for human CYP450s were evaluated for the identification of toxic metabolites of the anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine (CBZ). Human CYP450 isoforms expressed by these cell lines included 1A1, 1A2, 2E1, 2A6, and 3A4. A dose-dependent inhibition of population growth from 50-200 micrograms/ml CBZ was detected by measuring cell number and respiration. The inhibition increased with the growth rate of the various lines, which correlated inversely with the presence of CYP450s, and may have been caused by CBZ itself. Cytotoxicity was observed only at the highest dose and in the line lacking transfected CYP450s. Microsomal preparations from hCYP3A4/OR cells converted CBZ into its principal oxidative metabolite, carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (CBZ-E), at a rate of 630 pmol/min per mg protein, confirming a major role of CYP3A4 in this reaction. However, no CBZ-E (or any metabolite) was recovered from any whole-cell incubation even though hCYP3A4 cells readily converted testosterone to 6 beta-hydroxytestosterone. This suggests that differences exist between whole-cell and microsomal preparations of lymphoblastoid cells in their ability to metabolize CBZ.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗

The ultrastructural and biosynthetic characteristics of steroidogenic cells in the gonad of Monopterus albus (Teleostei) during natural sex reversal.

The ultrastructural and biosynthetic characteristics of the steroid cells in the gonad of Monopterus albus have been studied. Ultrastructural features related to steroidogenesis have been identified in the interstitial Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, granulosa cells and thecal cells, and are especially abundant in the Leydig cells during the mid-intersexual phase. Steroidogenic ultrastructures in the Sertoli cells develop only during the maturation of the spermatogenic cysts, whereas in the granulosa and thecal cells, these features become obvious only during the maturation of the large oocytes. EM evidence also suggests a nutritive function for the Sertoli cells and the granulosa cells. Results of in vitro steroidogenic studies, using either testosterone or progesterone as a precursor, show a predominant conversion to androstenedione and 5 alpha-reduced compounds, and suggest a change in biosynthesis from 5 alpha-reduced products to androstenedione during sex reversal. 11-Ketotestosterone (11KT) has been identified, but not 11 beta-hydroxytestosterone. Production of 11KT is high in the late intersexual and the male phases, but a lack of a marked variation in 11KT production between the early and the mid-intersexual phase suggests that this steroid is not a trigger for natural sex reversal in Monopterus.

Androgens↗

Progesterone side-chain degradation by some species of Aspergillus flavus group.

Seventy isolates belonging to 6 species and one variety of A. flavus group were shown to degrade the progesterone side-chain to yield delta 4-androstene-3,17-dione and testosterone. The isolates of five species (A. flavo-furcatis, A. flavus, A. oryzae, A. parasiticus and A. tamarii) possessed enzyme systems catalyzing the opening of ring D and formed testololactone as final steroid metabolite in addition to their ability to produce the above mentioned two products. 11 beta-Hydroxy-delta 4-androstene-3,17-dione was formed by only A. flavus and A. tamarii while 11 beta-hydroxytestosterone was produced by A. flavo-furcatis, A. parasiticus and A. subolivaceus. The chromatographic resolution of the mixture products obtained (when the selective isolate of each species reacted with 1 g of progesterone) revealed that 60-75% of progesterone was converted into delta 4-androstene-3,17-dione (8-30%), testosterone (7-33%), testololactone (14-37%) and other products (3-40%). The most bioconversion activity was exhibited by A. oryzae, followed by A. parasiticus. The highest values of delta 4-androstene-3,17-dione (30% of added progesterone) and testosterone (33%) were formed by A. flavus var. columnaris while those of testololactone (37%) were produced by A. oryzae. A systematic variation could be observed between the different tested species of A. flavus group with respect to the transformation reactions of progesterone. Comparative biotransformation results showed that essential differences exist between the tested species in this group; this biochemical differentiation may supplement the morphological and other physiological criteria used in the identification of the different species in the A. flavus group.

Androstenes↗

Inter-species comparisons of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme levels in male ruminants.

Our current knowledge about the biotransformation enzymes in wild ruminants is limited. The present study aimed to compare basic levels and specific activities of cytochrome P450 isoforms (CYP1A, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 3A, 4A) in males of red deer ( Cervus elaphus), fallow deer ( Dama dama), roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus) and mouflon ( Ovis musimon). The proteins from the major cytochrome P450 (CYP) subfamilies were detected in all ruminant species by Western blotting, using polyclonal antibodies raised against rat or human CYP enzymes. The immunochemical data seem to suggest that humans and wild ruminants share some similar hepatic CYP enzymes corresponding to members of subfamilies 2 and 3; ruminant liver samples also contained two proteins cross-reacting with anti-rat CYP1A antibodies. High activities of CYP1A enzymes found in liver microsomes of male fallow deer and roe deer are indicative of increased susceptibility of these species towards promutagens that are metabolically activated by these CYPs. On the other hand, low activities of CYP1A-dependent alkoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activities were detected in male mouflons. Oxidative metabolism of testosterone was significantly higher in wild ruminants than the values previously reported from bulls. Androstene-3,17-dione and 6beta-hydroxytestosterone were the most important products of testosterone oxidation in liver microsomes of all the ruminant species under study. The highest CYP3A-dependent testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase activity was found in mouflons and fallow deer. A different pattern of CYP activities towards testosterone was found in roe deer, which showed high activities of testosterone 2beta-hydroxylase and lower production of androstene-3,17-dione. An increased activity of CYP4A-dependent laurate 12-hydroxylase found in roe deer and mouflons might indicate a higher metabolic turnover of fatty acids. The data on CYP activities indicated that high metabolic rates of steroids, fatty acids, and xenobiotics may occur in male wild ruminants. The highest hepatic activities specific for CYP3A, CYP2C, CYP2D, and CYP2E enzymes were found in mouflon, suggesting that this species has the highest biotransformation capacity.

Animals↗

DDT increases hepatic testosterone metabolism in rats.

DDT and its metabolites are considered as endocrine disruptors able to promote hormone-dependent pathologies. We studied the effects of technical-grade DDT on hepatic testosterone metabolism and testosterone hydroxylase activity ratios in the rat. Male and female Wistar rats were treated by gavage with a single dose of technical-grade DDT (0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 mg/kg body weight) and killed 24 h later. Hepatic microsomes were incubated with [4-14C]-testosterone and the metabolites were separated by thin-layer chromatography and quantified by radio scanning. DDT increased testosterone biotransformation and modified the profile of metabolites produced in a sex-dependent manner. Males treated with a representative dose (10 mg/kg) produced relatively less androstenedione (AD), 2alpha-hydroxytestosterone (OHT), and 16alpha-OHT but higher 6beta-OHT whereas treated females produced less 7alpha-OHT and AD but higher 6beta-OHT and 6alpha-OHT than their respective controls. In both sexes DDT decreased the relative proportion of AD and increased that of 6beta-OHT suggesting that the androgen-saving pathway was affected. The testosterone 6alpha-/15alpha-OHT ratio, a proposed indicator of demasculinization, was increased in treated males. This effect was in agreement with the demasculinizing ability proposed for DDT. The effects on 6alpha-/16alpha-OHT and 6-dehydrotestosterone/16alpha-OHT ratios followed a similar tendency, with the ratio 6alpha-/16alpha-OHT being the most sensitive marker. Interestingly, these ratios were reduced in treated females suggesting that technical-grade DDT shifted testosterone hydroxylations toward a more masculine pattern. Thus, technical-grade DDT altered the hepatic sexual dimorphism in testosterone metabolism and decreased the metabolic differences between male and female rats.

Administration, Oral↗

Monoclonal antibodies distinguish among isozymes of the cytochrome P-450b subfamily.

Polyclonal antibody has been shown previously to react identically with cytochromes P-450b and P-450e purified from Long Evans rats and a strain variant of cytochrome P-450b purified from Holtzman rats (P-450bH). In the present study, an array of 12 different monoclonal antibodies produced against cytochrome P-450b has been used to distinguish among these closely related phenobarbital-inducible rat hepatic cytochromes P-450. In immunoblots and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, 10 monoclonal antibodies bind to cytochromes P-450b, P-450e, and P-450bH; one monoclonal antibody (B50) recognizes cytochromes P-450b and P-450bH but not cytochrome P-450e; and one monoclonal antibody (B51) is specific for cytochrome P-450b. In addition, one monoclonal antibody (BEF29) reacts strongly with cytochrome P-450f, and another antibody (BEA33) reacts weakly with cytochrome P-450a. No cross-reactions with cytochromes P-450c, P-450d, and P-450g-P-450j were detected with any of the monoclonal antibodies in these assays. Six spatially distinct epitopes on cytochrome P-450b were identified, and differences in antibody reactivity provided evidence for three additional overlapping epitopes. Several monoclonal antibodies are potent inhibitors of testosterone and benzphetamine metabolism supported by cytochrome P-450b in a reconstituted system. B50 and BE52 do not inhibit metabolism of the two substrates by microsomes from untreated rats, but inhibit benzphetamine N-demethylation and testosterone metabolism to 16 alpha- and 16 beta-hydroxytestosterone as well as androstenedione formation 67-94% by microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats. No other pathways of testosterone metabolism are inhibited by these monoclonal antibodies. The differential inhibition of microsomal metabolism of benzphetamine and testosterone by these monoclonal antibodies is a reflection of the content and inducibility of cytochromes P-450b and P-450e as well as other cytochrome P-450 isozymes.

Animals↗

Further characterization of RLM2 and comparison with a related form of cytochrome P-450, RLM2b.

We have extended the characterization of RLM2, a constitutive form of rat liver cytochrome P-450, using immunochemical means to quantitate its presence in microsomes, to follow its development in maturing male and female rats, and to determine its response to prototypical P-450 inducers. In addition, RLM2 is compared to RLM2b, a form of P-450 with similar migration on SDS-PAGE and NH2-terminal amino acid sequence. RLM2b is expressed in both sexes at a level of 0.08 nmol/mg microsomal protein at 2 weeks of age. In female rats, this level is unchanged with maturation. However, in the male, the level declined with maturation to reach 0.02 nmol/mg protein by 12 weeks of age. RLM2 is a male-specific form of cytochrome P-450. Originally absent in the 2-week-old rat, it reached a level of 0.03 nmol/mg protein in the adult male, its appearance and increase coinciding with the onset of puberty. Both phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene induced microsomal levels of RLM2b in the adult male and female rat. RLM2, however, was suppressed in the male rat, 58 and 42%, respectively, by the same treatments. RLM2b and RLM2 each catalyze a unique spectrum of hydroxytestosterone metabolites. RLM2b is highly site specific. In contrast, RLM2 produces several isomeric products in the same region of the testosterone molecule. Substitution of the acetyl group of progesterone for the 17-hydroxy group of testosterone did not alter the site specificity of RLM2b, but did alter it for RLM2, indicating, further, a difference in the active site conformation of the two enzymes. Although RLM2b and RLM2 responded differently to inducers and to a changing physiology during maturation, and were functionally quite distinct, the proteins showed a high degree of immunologic relatedness which is suggestive of significant structural similarities. Structural differences do exist, however, as alpha-chymotryptic digestion formed a number of peptide fragments that differed between the two proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification of two isozymes of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 with testosterone 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity.

Cytochrome P450a was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from liver microsomes from immature male Long-Evans rats treated with Aroclor 1254. Rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against cytochrome P450a cross-reacted with cytochromes P450b, P450e, and P450f (which are structurally related to cytochrome P450a). The cross-reacting antibodies were removed by passing anti-P450a over an N-octylamino-Sepharose column containing these heterologous antigens. The immunoabsorbed antibody recognized only a single protein (i.e., cytochrome P450a) in liver microsomes from immature male rats treated with Aroclor 1254 (i.e., the microsomes from which cytochrome P450a was purified). However, the immunoabsorbed antibody recognized three proteins in liver microsomes from mature male rats, as determined by Western immunoblot. As expected, one of these proteins (Mr 48,000) corresponded to cytochrome P450a. The other two proteins did not correspond to cytochromes P450b, P450e, or P450f (as might be expected if the antibody were incompletely immunoabsorbed), nor did they correspond to cytochromes P450c, P450d, P450g, P450h, P450i, P450j, P450k, or P450p. One of these proteins was designated cytochrome P450m (Mr approximately 49,000), the other cytochrome P450n (Mr approximately 50,000). Like cytochrome P450a, cytochrome P450n was present in liver microsomes from both male and female rats. However, whereas cytochrome P450a was detectable in liver microsomes from 1-week-old rats, cytochrome P450n was barely detectable until the rats were at least 3 weeks old. Furthermore, in contrast to cytochrome P450a, the levels of cytochrome P450n did not decline appreciably with age in postpubertal male rats. Cytochrome P450m was detectable only in liver microsomes from postpubertal (greater than 4 week-old) male rats. Cytochromes P450m and P450n were isolated from liver microsomes from mature male rats and purified to remove cytochrome P450a. When reconstituted with NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and lipid, cytochrome P450n exhibited little testosterone hydroxylase activity, whereas cytochrome P450m catalyzed the 15 alpha-, 18-, 6 beta-, and 7 alpha-hydroxylations of testosterone at 10.8, 4.6, 2.0, and 1.9 nmol/nmol P450/min, respectively. The ability of cytochrome P450m to catalyze the 7 alpha-hydroxylation of testosterone was not due to contamination with cytochrome P450a, which catalyzed this reaction at approximately 25 nmol/nmol P450a/min. Cytochrome P450m also converted testosterone to several minor metabolites, including androstenedione and 15 beta-, 14 alpha-, and 16 alpha-hydroxytestosterone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Age Factors↗

Cytochrome P450 IIIA1 (P450p) requires cytochrome b5 and phospholipid with unsaturated fatty acids.

In contrast to other P450 enzymes purified from rat liver microsomes, purified P450 IIIA1 (P450p) is catalytically inactive when reconstituted with NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and the synthetic lipid, dilauroylphosphatidylcholine. However, purified P450 IIIA1 catalyzes the oxidation of testosterone when reconstituted with NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, cytochrome b5, an extract of microsomal lipid, and detergent (Emulgen 911). The present study demonstrates that the microsomal lipid extract can be replaced with one of several naturally occurring phospholipids, but not with cholesterol, sphingosine, sphingomyelin, ceramide, cerebroside, or cardiolipin. The ratio of the testosterone metabolites formed by purified P450 IIIA1 (i.e., 2 beta-, 6 beta-, and 15 beta-hydroxytestosterone) was influenced by the type of phospholipid added to the reconstitution system. The ability to replace microsomal lipid extract with several different phospholipids suggests that the nature of the polar group (i.e., choline, serine, ethanolamine, or inositol) is not critical for P450 IIIA1 activity, which implies that P450 IIIA1 activity is highly dependent on the fatty acid component of these lipids. To test this possibility, P450 IIIA1 was reconstituted with a series of synthetic phosphatidylcholines. Those phosphatidylcholines containing saturated fatty acids were unable to support testosterone oxidation by purified P450 IIIA1, regardless of the acyl chain length (C6 to C18). In contrast, several unsaturated phosphatidylcholines supported testosterone oxidation by purified P450 IIIA1, and in this regard dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (PC(18:1)2) was as effective as microsomal lipid extract and naturally occurring phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylserine. These results confirmed that P450 IIIA1 activity is highly dependent on the fatty acid component of phospholipids. A second series of experiments was undertaken to determine whether microsomal P450 IIIA1, like the purified enzyme, is dependent on cytochrome b5. A polyclonal antibody against purified cytochrome b5 was raised in rabbits and was purified by affinity chromatography. Anti-cytochrome b5 caused a approximately 60% inhibition of testosterone 2 beta-, 6 beta-, and 15 beta-hydroxylation by purified P450 IIIA1 and inhibited these same reactions by approximately 70% when added to liver microsomes from dexamethasone-induced female rats. Overall, these results suggest that testosterone oxidation by microsomal cytochrome P450 IIIA1 requires cytochrome b5 and phospholipid containing unsaturated fatty acids.

Animals↗

Isolation of 11 beta-hydroxylated androgens from testicular vein blood of the mature boar.

The isolation of 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione and 11 beta-hydroxytestosterone from testicular vein blood of the mature male domestic pig is described. Blood was collected from veins and arteries on the surface of the testes of mature boars. Steroids were extracted from plasma with SEP-PAK C18 cartridges and recovered with acetonitrile. A separation of steroids was made by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using acetonitrile/water (37/63; v/v), and fractions were collected manually with detection at 254 nm. Preliminary identification was based on comparison with the HPLC retention time of an authentic steroid standard. Final characterization was achieved by means of capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The findings record the first evidence for the secretion of C19-11-hydroxylated steroids by normal testes in a mammalian species.

Androgens↗

Maturational steroids and gonadotropin in upstream migratory sockeye salmon.

The circulating serum concentrations of various steroid hormones in mature sockeye salmon were measured at four different developmental stages in their upstream migration to spawn at Adams River in British Columbia, Canada. In females, a high level of estradiol-17 beta was found in fish at the first location, and it persisted until immediately before reaching the spawning grounds, 485 km upstream, where it decreased to a minimal level. Free testosterone was extremely high throughout the migration but decreased significantly after spawning while its glucuronide changed reciprocally. Free and conjugated 17 alpha, 20 beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17 alpha, 20 beta-P) peaked at the last location before spawning with the glucuronide only 20% of the free steroid in concentration. After spawning, the concentration of free steroid declined but the glucuronide remained constant. 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone increased significantly in serum before and after the fish had spawned. During the migration 11-deoxycortisol was present in the serum at all stages but maximal levels were found in postspawned fish. Throughout the migration, the males had high serum levels of 11-ketotestosterone. Lesser amounts of free testosterone were also consistently present but the ratio of free: conjugated decreased from 1.7 at the beginning of the migration to 0.15 on the arrival at the Adams River and 0.10 in postspawned fish. Only low levels of 11 beta-hydroxytestosterone were found except in the postspawned males where the value was equal to one-half that of free testosterone. As in the females, there was a substantial increase in the levels of 17 alpha, 20 beta-P and its glucuronide in the males captured at the spawning grounds. In both sexes gonadotropin levels were low during the migration and high in the postspawned fish.

Animals↗

Oocyte maturation in the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus): effects of steroids on germinal vesicle breakdown of intact follicles in vitro.

The effects of several steroids on the maturation of follicle-enclosed oocytes of the mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus in vitro were examined. At a relatively high concentration (1.0 microgram/ml), a number of different steroids, including pregnenolone, 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, corticosterone, cortisol, 11-deoxycorticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, androstenedione, testosterone, progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 20 beta-dihydroprogesterone, and 17 alpha-hydroxy-20 beta-dihydroprogesterone, were able to induce germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in prematuration oocytes. Cholesterol, 17 beta-estradiol, 11-ketotestosterone, and 11 beta-hydroxytestosterone were totally ineffective. In general, 11-oxysteroids tended to be less effective than their 11-deoxysteroid counterparts. Two 20 beta-dihydroprogestins--17 alpha-hydroxy-20 beta-dihydroprogesterone and 20 beta-dihydroprogesterone--were the most potent maturation-inducing steroids, initiating 50% GVBD at 1 ng/ml in follicles obtained from ovaries containing mature or maturing follicles in vivo, or at 2.5-4.0 ng/ml in follicles from ovaries lacking mature or maturing oocytes in vivo. These results are consistent with several previous studies involving salmonids and various other teleosts, and suggest a possible physiological role for a 20 beta-dihydroprogestin in the resumption of meiotic maturation in F. heteroclitus.

20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone↗

Steroidogenesis by gonads of a viviparous teleost, the sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna), in vitro and in vivo.

Gonads of Poecilia latipinna transformed [3H]testosterone into a number of reduced and conjugated metabolites in high yield in vitro. In the male 5 beta-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol, 5 beta-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol, and their "sulphates" were identified. The only 11-oxygenated androgen detected was a compound tentatively identified as 5 beta-androstane-3 beta, 11 beta, 17 beta-triol. In ovarian incubates androstenedione, 5 beta-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol and its glucuronide, testosterone glucuronide, and 5 beta-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol glucuronide were identified. Highest yields of the ovarian glucuronides coincided with the termination of vitellogenesis which may indicate a possible pheromonal role of these conjugates. In vivo plasma levels of estradiol in the female were correlated with vitellogenesis and fell markedly after castration or hypophysectomy. In males the plasma concentrations of testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone and 11 beta-hydroxytestosterone and their conjugates were variable and not apparently correlated with testicular weight, but they were reduced to undetectable levels by castration and hypophysectomy. The results suggest that 5 alpha- and 5 beta-reduced steroids may play a role in the reproductive endocrinology of P. latipinna and that measurements of only the "classical" steroid hormones in this and possibly other species may give only a partial and misleading picture of endocrine changes.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗

The skin of the male African catfish, Clarias gariepinus: a source of steroid glucuronides.

Steroid metabolism in the skin of mature male African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, reared in the laboratory, was studied in vitro by tissue incubations with [3H]pregnenolone, [3H]dehydroepiandrosterone, [3H]17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, [3H]androstenedione, [14C]11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione, and [3H]testosterone as precursors. While pregnenolone was not converted to any other steroid, dehydroepiandrosterone was transformed mainly to 5-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol. The products of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone incubations were 5 beta-pregnane-3 alpha,17 alpha-diol-20-one, 5 beta-pregnane-3 alpha,17 alpha, 20 beta-triol, and 5 beta-pregnan-17 alpha-o1-3,20-dione. The major steroids of androstenedione incubations were etiocholanolone, testosterone, and androsterone. Testosterone was converted mainly to etiocholanolone and androstenedione, and only small quantities of 11 beta-hydroxytestosterone, 11-ketotestosterone, and 11-ketoandrostenedione were the metabolites found in 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione incubation. These results demonstrated the presence of the enzymes 5 alpha- and 5 beta-reductases and 3 alpha-, 11 beta-, 17 beta-, and 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in the skin. From enzymehistochemical results it appeared that the steroid conversions take place in the epithelial cells. Moreover, the presence of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, an enzyme involved in the synthesis of glucuronic acid, in these cells indicates the possibility of steroid glucuronide formation. Indeed significant amounts of water-soluble steroid conjugates, particularly 5 beta-dihydrotestosterone- and testosterone-glucuronide, were found in the incubations with androstenedione and testosterone, indicating the presence of the UDP-glucuronosyl transferase in the catfish skin. In the light of these results, a role of the skin of African catfish in the production of semiochemicals having pheromonal properties is discussed.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗

Conversion of 11-ketoandrostenedione to 11-ketotestosterone by blood cells of six fish species.

Blood cells from Baltic salmon, Salmo salar, three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, eel pout, Zoarces viviparus, crucian carp, Carassius carassius, African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, and reedfish, Calamoichthys calabaricus, were incubated with tritiated 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione (OHA) or 11-ketoandrostenedione (OA). In all fish there was conversion of OA to 11-ketotestosterone (OT), indicating that 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was present in the blood cells. On the other hand, OHA was not converted to 11 beta-hydroxytestosterone in any fish. The addition of serum to the incubates largely prevented the OA-OT conversion by salmon blood cells.

Androstenes↗

Extragonadal 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in rainbow trout.

Blood cells of male and female rainbow trout showed 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta HSD) activity in vitro, reducing 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione and 11-ketoandrostenedione (OA) to 11 beta-hydroxytestosterone and 11-ketotestosterone (OT), respectively. Enzyme activity did not vary with gonadal development in either sex. The conversion of tritiated precursors was partly inhibited in the presence of steroid-free serum or radioinert steroid, but inhibition was less strong when radioinert androgens were added to steroid-free serum or when the serum contained endogenous steroids. Treatment of male trout with salmon gonadotropin in vivo and/or incubation with a pituitary extract of mature salmon in vitro did not affect OA conversion when blood cells were incubated in the absence of serum, whereas it was slightly but significantly higher when they were incubated in the presence of serum and pituitary extract. In addition to blood cells and steroidogenic tissues, spleen, intestine, brain, liver, excretory kidney, and skin tissue also produced an OA metabolite isopolar to OT in vitro, so that 17 beta HSD appears to be present in a variety of trout issues. With respect to the biological significance of extragonadal steroid metabolism in vivo, the ligand binding characteristics of circulating steroid binding proteins may be of primary relevance in regulating substrate availability.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Effects of age and 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione on activities of hCG-induced 19-hydroxylase and aromatase of rat testes.

The testicular aromatase activity was significantly increased by administration of hCG to 18-day old rats, but not increased in 29-day old rats. 1,4,6-Androstatriene-3,17-dione did not inhibit the in vitro conversion of testosterone to 19-hydroxytestosterone by the testicular cell-free homogenates of the hCG-treated 18-day old rats, but strongly suppressed production of estrogen from 19-hydroxyandrostenedione. On the other hand, the 19-hydroxylase activity of 18-day old rats stimulated by hCG was reduced to about 50% of the control value by SKF-525A, SU-4,885, SU-8,000 and SU-9,055 at their concentration of 10(-4) M. From our results, it is postulated that there are two distinct steps in the process of aromatization of testosterone, the one, the primary 19-hydroxylation which is inhibited by SKF-525A and SU-compounds, but not by 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione, and the other, aromatization of 19-hydroxylated androgen which is inhibited by both 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione and non-steroidal inhibitors.

Aging↗