The formation of 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol by dog prostate

The 3-keto reduction of [1, 2-³H]dihydrotestosterone¹ to 3α- and 3β-androstanediol has been assessed in homogenates of 31 dog prostates that varied in size from <1 to >15 g. The formation of both androstanediols was demonstrable in microsomes and cytosol, and both NADH and NADPH were effective cofactors for the two reactions. The formation of 3β-androstanediol per unit weight of prostate or per mg protein did not show a clear-cut relation with the size of the gland, but 3α-androstanediol formation per mg microsomal protein increased as a linear function with size so that the rates were on an average 10-fold greater in prostates >15 g than in those <5g in weight. ¹ The trivial names and abbreviations used are: Dihydrotestosterone, 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one; 3α-androstanediol, 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol; 3β-androstanediol, 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-diol.