title: Steroid metabolism in vitro by gonadal tissue from a true hermaphrodite.
abstract: The case of a true hermaphrodite, with a normal ovary and an ovotestis is presented. The ovotestis was removed and incubated in vitro with tritiated steroids (testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone). Labeled metabolites were isolated and identified. Based upon these findings, a pathway of steroid biogenesis in this abnormal gonadal tissue is suggested. The ovotestis studied did not contain all the enzymes involved in ovarian steroidogenesis: 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, isomerase, 17--20 desmolase and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were present, but other important enzymes, such as 16 and 17-hydroxylases, and aromatizing enzyme systems, were deficient or absent.
mesh_terms: D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006066:Gonads / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011284:Pregnenolone / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D011284:Pregnenolone