title: In vitro effects of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane on in vitro biosynthesis and metabolism of steroids in goldfish Carassius auratus.
abstract: Testicular and ovarian fragments of Carassius auratus, taken during the reproductively active prespawning phase (June) of its annual reproductive cycle, were incubated with different concentrations (0 mg/ml, 0 ppm; 0.001 mg/ml, 1 ppm; 0.01 mg/ml, 10 ppm; and 0.02 mg/ml, 20 ppm) of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH) in the presence of either exogenous precursor [3H]-17-hydroxyprogesterone ([3H]17-P) or carp hypophyseal homogenate. The free (unconjugated) and conjugated metabolites (glucuronides and sulfates) of [3H]-17-P [androstenedione (AD), androstenetrione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone (T), 11-deoxycortisol (S), 17, 20alpha-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20alphaP), 17, 20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20betaP), 7alpha-pregnanetetrols (7alpha-P), and other polar metabolites] were separated by thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The endogenous production of unconjugated (free) steroids T, 17,20betaP, S, and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) in response to gamma-HCH were measured by radioimmunoassay. Among the in vitro metabolism of [3H]-17-P, in males, free steroids of AD, T, 17,20alphaP, S, and polar-free steroids were increased with the decreased yield of 11-KT. Percentage yield of testosterone glucuronide (TG) was increased with highly significant decreased yields of polar glucuronide steroids. The sulfate steroids of 17, 20alphaP, 17,20betaP, S, and 11-KT remain unchanged. In females, the decreased percentage of yield of AD and S and elevated T were noticed. The yield of TG was increased with decreased yield of 7alpha-P glucuronides. The percentage yield of AD sulfate and sulfate steroids of 17,20alphaP, 17,20betaP, and S were noted to be increased, but the yield for S sulfate was very high. Endogenous production of T was increased in both sexes in the presence of gamma-HCH, but 11-KT in male and S in female were depressed. 17, 20betaP was stimulated at some concentrations in both sexes but levels were very low. Results indicate that gamma-HCH in vitro perturbed the steroid biosynthesis during this phase thereby affecting reproductive physiology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2UQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Kime
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D005260:Female; D006054:Goldfish / Q000378:metabolism*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D006066:Gonads / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000633:toxicity*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; C015529:testosterone glucuronate; D013739:Testosterone; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone