The metabolism of C19- and C18-steroids, in particular, the aromatization of
androstenedione and
testosterone, the interconversion of
androgens to
estrogens and the 5alpha-reductase activity of a right abdominal (r) and a left inguinal (l) testis of a patient with
testicular feminization, are reported. Aromatization and 5alpha-reductase activity were also evaluated in tissue from the left ductus diferens (ld). The following results were obtained: 1. aromatization of
androstenedione to
estrone 2.52% (r), 0.02% (l), 0.94% (ld); 2. aromatization of
testosterone to
estradiol 0.58% (r), 2.88% (l); 3. conversion of
androstenedione to
testosterone 95.65% (r), 98.07% (l); 4. conversion of
testosterone to
androstenedione 33.14% (r), 53.65% (l); 5. conversion of
estrone to estradiol85.29% (r), 100% (l), 6. conversion of
estradiol to
estrone 33.12% (r), 32.33% (l); 7.5alpha-reduction of
testosterone to 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone 12.01% (r), 13.64% (l) and 4.10% (ld). A lack of 5alpha-reductase activity was not found in the tissues examined as stated in the literature.
Estrogen production in these testes was demonstrated by the aromatization of
androstenedione and
testosterone to
estrone and
estradiol and is reflected in the difference of the
estradiol concentration measured in spermatic and peripheral blood of the same patient (168 versus 33 pg/ml).