Biomaterial Database

Steroid metabolism in fetal tissues. III. Conversion of testosterone to 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone in human fetal gonads. 1976

A E Schindler

Testes and ovaries of 25 human fetuses obtained between the 17th--40th week of gestation were examined in vitro for 5alpha-reductase activity by a double isotope method. In 14 fetal testes, conversion of testosterone to 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone ranged between 1.04 to 4.26% (2.80% +/- 0.31 SEM) and in 11 fetal ovaries a conversion rate of 0.20 to 2.91% (1.09% +/- 0.22 SEM) was found. The difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.001). This was also confirmed by studying the gonads of twins. The data support previous studies indicating that human fetal testes and ovaries are different in their steroid metabolic activities. Age dependency could not be demonstrated.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D010053	Ovary	The reproductive organ (GONADS) in female animals. In vertebrates, the ovary contains two functional parts: the OVARIAN FOLLICLE for the production of female germ cells (OOGENESIS); and the endocrine cells (GRANULOSA CELLS; THECA CELLS; and LUTEAL CELLS) for the production of ESTROGENS and PROGESTERONE.	Ovaries
D010088	Oxidoreductases	The class of all enzymes catalyzing oxidoreduction reactions. The substrate that is oxidized is regarded as a hydrogen donor. The systematic name is based on donor:acceptor oxidoreductase. The recommended name will be dehydrogenase, wherever this is possible; as an alternative, reductase can be used. Oxidase is only used in cases where O2 is the acceptor. (Enzyme Nomenclature, 1992, p9)	Dehydrogenases,Oxidases,Oxidoreductase,Reductases,Dehydrogenase,Oxidase,Reductase
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D005260	Female		Females
D005333	Fetus	The unborn young of a viviparous mammal, in the postembryonic period, after the major structures have been outlined. In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after CONCEPTION until BIRTH, as distinguished from the earlier EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN.	Fetal Structures,Fetal Tissue,Fetuses,Mummified Fetus,Retained Fetus,Fetal Structure,Fetal Tissues,Fetus, Mummified,Fetus, Retained,Structure, Fetal,Structures, Fetal,Tissue, Fetal,Tissues, Fetal
D005865	Gestational Age	The age of the conceptus, beginning from the time of FERTILIZATION. In clinical obstetrics, the gestational age is often estimated from the onset of the last MENSTRUATION which is about 2 weeks before OVULATION and fertilization. It is also estimated to begin from fertilization, estrus, coitus, or artificial insemination.	Embryologic Age,Fetal Maturity, Chronologic,Chronologic Fetal Maturity,Fetal Age,Maturity, Chronologic Fetal,Age, Embryologic,Age, Fetal,Age, Gestational,Ages, Embryologic,Ages, Fetal,Ages, Gestational,Embryologic Ages,Fetal Ages,Gestational Ages
D006066	Gonads	The gamete-producing glands, OVARY or TESTIS.	Gonad
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013196	Dihydrotestosterone	A potent androgenic metabolite of TESTOSTERONE. It is produced by the action of the enzyme 3-OXO-5-ALPHA-STEROID 4-DEHYDROGENASE.	5 alpha-Dihydrotestosterone,Androstanolone,Stanolone,17 beta-Hydroxy-5 beta-Androstan-3-One,17beta-Hydroxy-5alpha-Androstan-3-One,5 beta-Dihydrotestosterone,5-alpha Dihydrotestosterone,5-alpha-DHT,Anaprotin,Andractim,Dihydroepitestosterone,Gelovit,17 beta Hydroxy 5 beta Androstan 3 One,17beta Hydroxy 5alpha Androstan 3 One,5 alpha DHT,5 alpha Dihydrotestosterone,5 beta Dihydrotestosterone,Dihydrotestosterone, 5-alpha,beta-Hydroxy-5 beta-Androstan-3-One, 17