UTILIZATION OF CIRCULATING PRECURSORS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF TESTOSTERONE BY HUMAN TESTIS IN VIVO

Abstract
Infusion of 3H-labeled dehydroepiandrosterone together with 14C-labeled androst-4-ene-3,17-dione into the spermatic artery resulted in the formation of testosterone. 3H- and 14C-labeled testosterone was isolated from the spermatic venous blood and from the perfused testis. Under the experimental conditions used, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione yielded more testosterone than did dehydroepiandrosterone. Dehydroepiandrosterone also contributed towards the formation of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione.