title: Spermatic and peripheral venous plasma concentrations of progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone in prepubertal boys.
abstract: Testosterone, progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone have been measured in the spermatic and peripheral venous blood of 17 prepubertal boys undergoing surgery for undescended testis or inguinal hernia repair. Mean (+/-SE) spermatic testosterone and progesterone (538 +/- 212 and 704 +/- 110 pg/ml, respectively) were significantly higher (P less than 0.005) than peripheral levels (91 +/- 11 and 419 +/- 71 pg/ml, respectively). No significant spermatic-peripheral gradient was found for 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone. These in vivo studies demonstrate that the secretory pattern of the prepubertal testis is different from the adult testis.
mesh_terms: D004092:20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011374:Progesterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood*; D011627:Puberty; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000254:growth & development; D014680:Veins
chemical_list: D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones; D004092:20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone; D011374:Progesterone