Metabolism and Effects of Androgens in Hamster Flank Organs

Abstract

The in vivo effects of testosterone and metabolites on weight and lipogenic activity of female flank organs were measured, and the metabolism of 4-[14C]-testosterone by male hamster flank organ sebaceous glands was studied in vitro. At topical doses of 4 or 8 µg/day applied daily for 14 days, flank organ weight was most effectively increased by dihydrotestosterone, followed closely by 3α-androstanediol, then testosterone. Lesser effects were noted following treatment with Δ4-androstenedione. In contrast, androsterone and androstanedione effectively stimulated lipid synthesis while only minimally affecting flank organ weight. In dose-response studies androsterone consistently produced lipogenic effects more pronounced than those following dihydrotestosterone treatment. The principal metabolites isolated from incubations of testosterone with hamster sebaceous gland homogenates were dihydrotestosterone and 3α-androstanediol; androstanedione, Δ4-androstenedione, androsterone, and 3β-androstanediol were also detected. Metabolites not reported previously from incubations of sebaceous glands were observed and may be steroid esters. The results suggest that androgens other than testosterone and/or dihydrotestosterone may play a role in mediation of hamster sebaceous gland function, and that these androgens can be formed at the target organ. (Endocrinology95: 882, 1974)