Effect of long-term isolation of the rat on in vitro biosynthesis of gonadal steroids from dehydroepiandrosterone.
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.
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
D000728:Androgens; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone