CONVERSION OF PROGESTERONE TO ANDROGENS BY NON-FLAGELLATE GERMINAL CELLS ISOLATED FROM SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES OF RAT TESTIS

in Journal of Endocrinology
Authors:
H. J. GALENA
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C. TERNER
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SUMMARY

A method is described for the isolation of non-flagellate germinal cells of the testis. The interstitial cells were removed by submersion of teased seminiferous tubules in distilled water. The interstitial cells exposed to water burst while the germinal cells inside the tubules remained intact. The tubules were then homogenized in isotonic saline and the non-flagellate germinal cells (spermatocytes and young spermatids) were isolated by centrifugation and filtration through a layer of Sephadex G-25 gel. On incubation with progesterone these cells produced 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, and testosterone. The rate of conversion of progesterone to testosterone in vitro was 0·20 μg/h/109 germinal cells. These results suggest that the non-flagellate germinal cells of the testis may make a significant contribution to the production of androgens.

 

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