The effect of vitamin E deficiency on androgen and corticosterone synthesis.

The incorporation of 14C-cholesterol into total androgens by testis homogenates and into total androgens and corticosterone by adrenal homogenates was measured in tissues taken from rats deficient in vitamin E, and from rats given vitamin E, from weaning to a maximum of 293 days. The peak of incorporation of 14C into adrenal steroids, androgens and corticosterone, were delayed in the rats deficient in vitamin E, which might suggest a delayed or prolonged period of puberty in vitamin E deficiency. After this period of increased steroidogenesis the deficient rats incorporated consistently less 14C into adrenal steroids and testicular androgens than did the control rats, although the differences were not statistically significant in the experiments described.