THE EFFECT OF EXOGENOUS PRECURSORS ON ETIOCHOLANOLONE/ANDROSTERONE RATIOS IN MAN

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Abstract
The effect of the ingestion of large amounts of precursors of urinary androsterone (A) and etiocholanolone (E) on the E/A ratio was explored. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in doses of 1000 mg daily resulted in elevation of the E/A ratios from 0.8 to 2.8 by the third day. The E/A ratio remained near 1.0 after the same amount of testosterone and androstenedione. Triiodothyronine administration blocked the E/A changes seen after DHEA. Significant differences were also noted in the modes of conjugation of A and E and in epiandrosterone excretion after DHEA, androstenedione and testosterone. The data suggest that metabolism of the 3 precursors does not proceed entirely via the presumed intermediate, androstenedione. The role of enteric metabolism in ingested precursor was examined and found to be of minor importance.