Abstract
SUMMARY Ox and sheep blood is able to reduce androstene-3:17-dione in the presence of oxygen to form 17α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3-one (epitestosterone), accompanied by lesser amounts of testosterone. The blood of these two ruminant species differs in this respect from that of the pig, the stallion and man, which on aerobic incubation with androstenedione produces small amounts of testosterone, but none of the 17α-epimer. The neutral steroid 17α-ol dehydrogenase activity in ruminant blood is independent of the sex of the animal, and resides in the cellular fraction of the blood. The action of the enzyme in ox blood was shown to be reversible, but in whole blood the oxidative step proceeds at a very slow rate. The reported occurrence of epitestosterone in spermatic vein blood of young calves is attributed to the action of the blood on androstenedione released by the testis.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
