Androgen metabolism in somatic and germinal tissues of the sea star Asterias vulgaris.
1. Cell-free homogenates of male and female pyloric caeca, body wall, testis and ovary were incubated with radiolabeled 3H-androstenedione. 2. Pyloric caeca had highest rates of androstenedione conversion. The predominant metabolites in the pyloric caeca were testosterone, 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol and 5 beta-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol. 3. In body wall, testicular and ovarian homogenates, androstenedione was converted primarily to testosterone and also to 5 alpha-androstanedione and epiandrosterone. 4. Qualitative and quantitative differences in androgen metabolism in somatic and germinal tissues may be related to tissue-specific regulation of cellular metabolism.
Hines
G A
GA
Department of Biology, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
Watts
S A
SA
Walker
C W
CW
Voogt
P A
PA
D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002432:Cecum / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D013215:Starfish / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000728:Androgens; D000735:Androstenedione