Metabolism of [14C]testosterone by human foetal and adult brain tissue.
The metabolism of [14C]testosterone in vitro by various areas of the human foetal brain has been studied and compared with that of adult brain. The predominant metabolites were 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol, and also androstenedione, and all areas of the foetal brain showed similar activity. In the foetal pituitary gland, the activity of 5alpha-reductase was less prominent than that of 17beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase. Small quantities of oestradiol-17beta were produced from testosterone by the hypothalamus, temporal lobe and amygdala only, and no aromatization could be detected in the pituitary gland. 5alpha-Reductase activity was much lower in adult brain tissues and no oestradiol was identified in adult temporal lobe tissue.
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol; D013739:Testosterone