A study of the in vitro metabolism of androgens by human scalp and pubic skin

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Abstract
The metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione and testosterone was compared in vitro in human scalp, forehead, pubic and axillary skin biopsies. Conversion of testosterone to the metabolite 5.alpha.-dihydrotestosterone, believed to be the active form of androgen, occurred in all tissues; however 17-oxosteroids such as androstenedione, 5.alpha.-androstanedione and androsterone were also formed from testosterone and were the major metabolites of scalp and forehead skin. While 17.beta.-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activity was present in every skin sample, it was evident there were differences in the direction of operation of this enzyme in skin from different body sites. Axillary skin readily metabolized androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone to active 17.beta.-hydroxy steroids such as testosterone and 5.alpha.-dihydrotestosterone, but these compounds were minor metabolites of androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone in forehead and scalp skin despite their activity in 17.beta.-oxidation of testosterone. Pubic skin was intermediated between axillary and scalp skin in its ability to form 17.beta.-hydroxy products from androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone. It was suggested these patterns of metabolism may reflect differences in androgen sensitivity.