Metabolism of testosterone-¹⁴C by cultured human cells

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Abstract

The metabolism of 14C-labeled testosterone by cultured human fibroblasts and amniotic fluid cells was investigated. Radiolabeled testosterone was incubated with the cultured cells for 48 hr, and the labeled metabolites present in the medium were subsequently identified. The major metabolic products of testosterone formed by cultured fibroblasts were Δ4-androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone, androsterone, and androstanediol. The amount of testosterone metabolized through each of two pathways was calculated and used to form a ratio designated the 17β-hydroxyl/17-ketonic ratio. Fibroblasts from normal male and female children and adult females had high 17β-hydroxyl/17-ketonic ratios indicating testosterone metabolism occurred primarily through the 17β-hydroxyl pathway. There was change in the pattern of testosterone metabolism with age in males, i.e., adult males had much lower 17β-hydroxyl/17-ketonic ratios than did male children.

Authors

Donna D. Shanies, Kurt Hirschhorn, Maria I. New