Conversion of 3H-testosterone to dihydrotestosterone in human hypertrophic prostatic tissue.

The aim of the study was to develop a simple method for the determination of the conversion of testosterone to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) after incubation of human hypertrophic prostatic tissue with 3H-testosterone. The mean conversion rate of 3H-testosterone to 5 alpha-DHT in hypertrophic prostatic tissue was found to be higher than in normal and carcinomatous tissue. The results indicate that androgen metabolism in the hypertrophic prostatic gland is enhanced.