Abstract
ABSTRACT The de novo synthesis of steroids and steroid sulphates by the testicles of four human foetuses at midgestation was studied. Two foetuses and two foeto-placental units were perfused at 36°C for 120 minutes with 3.0 and 6.0 mCi of [14C] sodium acetate, respectively. Radiochemically homogeneous steroids and steroid sulphates were isolated from the testicular extracts. Tritium labelled internal standards were used in order to assess procedural losses. No labelled steroids were detected in the testicular extracts in one case. From the testicles of each of the three other foetuses pregnenolone, pregnenolone sulphate, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, Δ5-androstenediol and testosterone were isolated. Progesterone and androstenedione were isolated in only one case each. Pregnenolone was found to be the predominant steroid formed. It is concluded that the testicles of midgestation human foetuses synthesize and secrete testosterone. It is likely that for the synthesis of this testosterone, the foetal testicles utilize preferentially the so-called Δ5-pathway.
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