Formation of 5β- and 5α-Products as Major C19-Steroids from Progesteronein Vitroin Immature Golden Hamster Testes*

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Abstract
Testicular homogenates from 8- to 55-day-old golden hamsters were incubated with [3H]progesterone, [14C]-progesterone, [3H]5β-pregnane-3,20-dione, [l4C]progesterone plus [3H]5β-pregnane-3,20-dione, [3H]5α-pregnane-3,20-dione, and [14C]progesterone plus [3H]5α-pregnane-3,20-dione and NADPH. After incubation, the radioactive products were separated and identified by column and paper chromatographies with derivative formation and recrystallization to constant specific activity. The major C21-17-hydroxysteroids and C19-steroids formed from progesterone by the testes of immature golden hamsters were 5β- and 5α-steroids, such as 3α,17-dihydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one, etiocholanolone, 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol, 3α,17-dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one, androsterone, and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol. Incubation studies with the testes of the immature hamsters showed that the 5α-C19-steroids were produced from progesterone mainly through 5α-C21-steroids such as 3α,17-dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one, while the 5β-C19-steroids were formed through androstenedione and testosterone. The major steroids formed by the testes of suckling and adult animals were 17-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, androstenedione, and testosterone, and little or no 5β- and 5α-steroids were produced. The present results demonstrate for the first time that 5β-C19-steroids are major C19-steroid products of the gonad. (Endocrinology106: 1554, 1980)

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