In-vitro metabolism of unconjugated androgens, oestrogens and the sulphate conjugates of androgens and oestrone by accessory sex organs of the mature domestic boar.

Minces of the prostate and seminal vesicles of the mature boar were incubated with the following major testicular steroids of the pig: [3H]dehydroepiandrosterone, [3H]5-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol, [3H]oestrone, [3H]oestradiol-17 beta and their respective sulphate conjugates (excluding oestradiol-17 beta). Incubations were also carried out with [3H]testosterone, [3H]5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and [3H]5 alpha-androstanediols. Minces of the epididymides were incubated with [3H]dehydroepiandrosterone and [3H]oestrone sulphates. The prostate and seminal vesicles converted dehydroepiandrosterone predominantly to weak androgens, whereas 5-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol was primarily converted to testosterone; testosterone and its 5 alpha-reduced metabolites were metabolized in a manner typical of androgen end target organs. Unconjugated oestrone and oestradiol-17 beta were interconverted by the prostate and seminal vesicles. The metabolism of C19 steroid sulphates was less than 1% in all incubations; some oestrone sulphate, however, was converted to unconjugated oestrone and oestradiol, particularly by the caput epididymidis. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to recent studies in vivo.