Differences in steroid metabolism by testis, prostate and epididymis in the immature and adult possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

Immature possums 126-195 days old and adults over 1 year old were used. Testicular homogenates from immature possums converted [3H]progesterone to nine different products, of which greater than 63% were 5 alpha-reduced androstane metabolites. The major product from adult testis was testosterone in yields greater than 60%. While metabolism of [3H]testosterone by the epididymis of immature possum was minimal, in adults 5 alpha-reduced products constituted greater than 80% of the yield. In contrast, prostatic tissue from adults converted less than 4% of [3H]testosterone to 5 alpha-reduced products, while the yields were greater than 80% from prostates of immature animals. The results showed that like in rodents, the testis of immature possum has a high 5 alpha-reductase and low 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, which reverses in the adult state. The implications of the findings are discussed.