title: Effect of long-term isolation of the rat on in vitro biosynthesis of gonadal steroids from dehydroepiandrosterone.
abstract: In vitro biosynthesis of gonadal steroids from dehydroepiandrosterone was studied in isolated and in socially reared male and female rats. Acetone-dried powder of gonadal tissue incubated with dehydroepiandrosterone-4-14C yielded androstenedione, androst-5-ene-3beta, 17beta-diol, 11beta-hydroxyandrostenedione and testosterone. In the male, conversion to androstenedione was significantly increased after isolation and conversion to androst-5-ene-3beta, 17beta-diol was significantly lowered. In the female, conversion to androstenedione and androstenediol was significantly lowered by isolation. Testosterone and 11beta-hydroxyandrostenedione were not affected by isolation. Gonadal tissue of isolated and of socially reared male and female rats metabolizes dehydroepiandrosterone in a different way. These findings support the view that the conditions of housing affect the production of sex steroids.
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000818:Animals; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012934:Social Isolation; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone