Alterations in the androgen metabolism of the female guinea-pig during pregnancy.
The peripheral conversion of testosterone (T) into androstenedione (delta 4) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were studied in pregnant (days 32, 48 and 67 post coitum) and non-pregnant anesthetized guinea-pigs by constant intravenous infusion of tritium labeled T. Endogenous levels were measured by radioimmunoassay, and the three labeled androgens (T*, DHT* and delta 4*) counted after celite chromatography. The endogenous T, DHT and delta 4 plasma concentrations were respectively 5, 7 and 20 times higher in pregnant females than they were in cyclic ones. In the non-pregnant guinea-pig, no part of the delta 4 or DHT pools was derived from the peripheral conversion of testosterone. On days 32, 48 and 67 of gestation the fractions of the delta 4 pool originating from T were 9.1, 13.1 and 15.1%, and the fractions of DHT pool coming from T were 5.1, 22.1 and 21.3% respectively.
D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D011376:Progesterone-Binding Globulin / Q000097:blood; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000728:Androgens; D011376:Progesterone-Binding Globulin; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione