title: Effects of chronic ethanol ingestion on steroid profiles in the rat testis.
abstract: Testosterone, seven of its potential precursors, three of its metabolites and estradiol were analyzed in testes from rats given ethanol for 23 days in a nutritionally adequate liquid diet. The results were compared to those obtained with pair-fed control rats. The concentrations of pregnenolone, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione and testosterone were markedly lowered in four of the five rats given ethanol. The concentrations of the other 3 beta-hydroxy-delta 5 steroids and estradiol were unchanged, resulting in significantly increased ratios between 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (P less than 0.025) and between androstenediol and testosterone (P less than 0.025) in the ethanol-treated rats. The results indicate that chronic ethanol administration reduces formation of testosterone by affecting a step prior to pregnenolone. There may also be an effect on the conversion of some 3 beta-hydroxy-delta 5 to the corresponding 3-oxo-delta 4 steroids. The levels of testosterone and three other steroids in testes of rats given the liquid diet were significantly lower than those in testes of animals fed a standard rat chow. This indicates a dietary influence on testicular steroid concentrations.
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000378:metabolism*; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013256:Steroids; D000431:Ethanol; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol