Abstract
Testosterone, seven of its potential precursors, three of its metabolites and estradiol were analyzed in testes from rats given ethanol for 23 days in a nutritionally adequate liquid diet. The results were compared to those obtained with pair-fed control rats. The concentrations of pregnenolone, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione and testosterone were markedly lowered in four of the five rats given ethanol. The concentrations of the other 3 β-hydroxy- Δ 5 steroids and estradiol were unchanged, resulting in significantly increased ratios between 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone ( P < 0.025) and between androstenediol and testosterone ( P < 0.025) in the ethanol-treated rats. The results indicate that chronic ethanol administration reduces formation of testosterone by affecting a step prior to pregnenolone. There may also be an effect on the conversion of some 3 β-hydroxy- Δ 5 to the corresponding 3-oxo- Δ 4 steroids. The levels of testosterone and three other steroids in testes of rats given the liquid diet were significantly lower than those in testes of animals fed a standard rat chow. This indicates a dietary influence on testicular steroid concentrations.
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