Androgen metabolism by rat epididymis. Metabolic conversion of 3H 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol, in vitro. 1977

C D Hastings, and O Djøseland

The epididymis of adult rats metabolizes 3H 5alpha-androstane-3alpah,17beta-diol (3alpha-diol) by experiments in vitro. After incubation of tissue slices at 37 degrees C for 2 hours, 2% of the radioactivity was found in the water-soluble fraction whereas 98% was found to be ether soluble (free steroids). Further investigation of the free steroids showed the following to be present: 3alpha-diol 39.9%, DHT (17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one) 33.7%, androsterone (3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-17-one) 9.2%, 3beta-diol (5alpha-androstane-3beta,17beta-diol) 2.6%, 5alpha-A-dione (5alpha-androstan-3,17-dione) 1.1%, delta 16-3alpha-ol (5alpha-androst-16-en-3alpha-ol) 1.0%, delta16-3beta-ol (5alpha-androst-16-en-3beta-ol) 2.6%, delta 16-3-one (5alpha-androst-16-en-3-one) 2.9%, and polar compounds 3.3%. When segments of the epididymis (caput and cauda) were incubated in the same way, qualitatively similar metabolites were formed but a greater amount of 3alpha-diol was metabolized by the cauda epididymis. This increase was mainly accounted for by an increased formation of delta 16 compounds (14.3% in cauda, 4.3% in caput). This is most probably due to the presence of larger numbers of mature spermatozoa, which, as we have previously shown, form delta16 steroids from 3alpha-diol and DHT (5).

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D002855 Chromatography, Thin Layer Chromatography on thin layers of adsorbents rather than in columns. The adsorbent can be alumina, silica gel, silicates, charcoals, or cellulose. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Chromatography, Thin-Layer,Thin Layer Chromatography,Chromatographies, Thin Layer,Chromatographies, Thin-Layer,Thin Layer Chromatographies,Thin-Layer Chromatographies,Thin-Layer Chromatography
D004822 Epididymis The convoluted cordlike structure attached to the posterior of the TESTIS. Epididymis consists of the head (caput), the body (corpus), and the tail (cauda). A network of ducts leaving the testis joins into a common epididymal tubule proper which provides the transport, storage, and maturation of SPERMATOZOA.
D004986 Ether A mobile, very volatile, highly flammable liquid used as an inhalation anesthetic and as a solvent for waxes, fats, oils, perfumes, alkaloids, and gums. It is mildly irritating to skin and mucous membranes. Diethyl Ether,Ether, Ethyl,Ethyl Ether,Ether, Diethyl
D000731 Androstanes The family of steroids from which the androgens are derived.
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014018 Tissue Distribution Accumulation of a drug or chemical substance in various organs (including those not relevant to its pharmacologic or therapeutic action). This distribution depends on the blood flow or perfusion rate of the organ, the ability of the drug to penetrate organ membranes, tissue specificity, protein binding. The distribution is usually expressed as tissue to plasma ratios. Distribution, Tissue,Distributions, Tissue,Tissue Distributions
D014316 Tritium The radioactive isotope of hydrogen also known as hydrogen-3. It contains two NEUTRONS and one PROTON in its nucleus and decays to produce low energy BETA PARTICLES. Hydrogen-3,Hydrogen 3
D014867 Water A clear, odorless, tasteless liquid that is essential for most animal and plant life and is an excellent solvent for many substances. The chemical formula is hydrogen oxide (H2O). (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Hydrogen Oxide
D015113 Androstane-3,17-diol The unspecified form of the steroid, normally a major metabolite of TESTOSTERONE with androgenic activity. It has been implicated as a regulator of gonadotropin secretion. 5 Androstane 3,17 diol,5 alpha-Androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol,5 alpha-Androstane-3 beta,17 alpha-diol,5 alpha-Androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol,5 alpha-Androstane-3alpha,17 beta-diol,5 beta-Androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol,5-Androstane-3,17-diol,5alpha-Androstane-3beta,17alpha-diol,5 alpha Androstane 3 alpha,17 beta diol,5 alpha Androstane 3 beta,17 alpha diol,5 alpha Androstane 3 beta,17 beta diol,5 alpha Androstane 3alpha,17 beta diol,5 beta Androstane 3 alpha,17 beta diol,5alpha Androstane 3beta,17alpha diol,Androstane 3,17 diol

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