Biology of Reproduction, Vol 3, 205-213, Copyright © 1970 by Society for the Study of Reproduction

In Vitro Metabolism of Androgens in Dog Hypothalamus, Pituitary, and Limbic System

¹ Hormone Research Laboratories, Department of Endocrinology, Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición, México 22, D.F. México

The in vitro metabolism of radioactively labeled androstenedione and testosterone in three different areas of the canine central nervous system has been studied. Incubation of androstenedione 4-¹⁴C with minced preparations of dog hypothalamus, pituitary, and limbic system resulted in the formation of ¹⁴C-labeled 5-androstane-3,17-dione, testosterone, and 17-hydroxy-5-androstane-3-one. When testosterone-7-³H was used as substrate, the formation of ³H-labeled 17-hydroxy-5-androstane-3-one, androstenedione, and 5-androstane-3,17-dione were noted. These experiments demonstrate the presence of a 17-dehydrogenase as well as a steroid ⁴-5-3-keto oxidoreductase system, the latter being involved in the formation of reduced metabolites with high biological activity. These results are discussed in the light of the mechanisms of hormonal action at the target organ level.

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