Effects of unilateral orchidectomy on rat epididymal delta 4-5 alpha-reductase and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

The effects of unilateral orchidectomy on the adult rat epidiymal testosterone metabolizing enzymes, delta 4-5 alpha-reductase and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, are investigated. Five weeks following unilateral orchidectomy, it is found that the activity of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase per organ is not altered, whereas delta 4-5 alpha-reductase activity decreased by more than 80% on the side of the orchidectomy. Neither accessory sex tissue weights, ventral prostate and seminal vesicles, nor the concentration of circulating testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, or prolactin is altered by unilateral orchidectomy. These data indicate that (1) epididymal 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity can be maintained by circulating androgens and that (2) the major factor regulating delta 4-5 alpha-reductase activity is not a substance secreted by the testes into the peripheral circulation. It is suggested that a substance directly secreted into the epididymis by the testis regulates epididymal delta 4-5 alpha-reductase activity.