Cellular Localization of 5α-Reductase and 3α-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in the Seminiferous Tubule of the Rat Testis
- 1 April 1975
- journal article
- other
- Published by The Endocrine Society in Endocrinology
- Vol. 96 (4) , 879-889
- https://doi.org/10.1210/endo-96-4-879
Abstract
Seminiferous tubules isolated from normal adult rats converted [14C]testosterone to [l4C]androstanediol and [14C]androstenedione as the major metabolites; [14C]dihydrotestosterone and [14C]androsterone were produced in lesser amounts. Tubules from immature rats (26-28 days of age) converted a higher proportion of [14C]testosterone to 5α-reduced products than did tubules from adult rats. Spermatocyte-enriched preparations contain 5α-reductase. The lower level of 5α-reductase activity in spermatid-spermatocyte preparations indicates that this enzyme is low or absent in spermatids. Sertoli cell-enriched preparations contain 5α-reductase and a high level of 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The results show that spermatocytes and Sertoli cells have the capacity to metabolise [14C]testosterone to 5α-reduced prodr ucts; dihydrotesterone is the major product formed by spermatocytes, whereas in Sertoli cells further metabolism to 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol occurs. (Endocrinology96: 879, 1975)Keywords
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