Changes with age in the occurrence of C19 steroids in the testis and submaxillary gland of the boar

J Reprod Fertil. 1975 Mar;42(3):459-72. doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0420459.

Abstract

After extraction from the testes of boars of different ages, C19 steroids including 16-androstenes were determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Similarly, 16-androstenes were determined in the submaxillary glands of these boars. A high concentration of testosterone was found in the testes of 84-day-old fetuses, and this might be significant in the differentiation of male behaviour. The amount of testosterone exceeded that of androstenedione during postnatal development, and dehydroepiandrosterone and 5-androstenediol as free and sulphates were found in high concentrations particularly in postpubertal boars, suggesting that the 5-ene pathway for the synthesis of testosterone might be important. There was a change in the predominance of individual 16-androstenes in the testis during development, which closely paralleled the sequence for the biosynthesis of these compounds proposed from previous studies in vitro. Whereas the amount of 5alpha-androst-16-en-3beta-ol exceeded that of 5alpha-androst-16-en-3alpha-ol in post-pubertal testes, 5alpha-androst-16-en-3alpha-ol was predominant in the submaxillary glands at all ages. The high concentration of 16-androstenes found in the mature boar, are discussed in relation to their release as pheromones and as factors responsible for taint in boar meat.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Androstenediols / analysis
  • Androstenedione / analysis
  • Androstenes / analysis*
  • Androstenols / analysis
  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / analysis
  • Female
  • Fetus
  • Infertility
  • Leydig Cells / cytology
  • Male
  • Organ Size
  • Submandibular Gland / analysis*
  • Submandibular Gland / growth & development
  • Swine / growth & development*
  • Testis / analysis*
  • Testis / cytology
  • Testis / growth & development
  • Testosterone / analysis

Substances

  • Androstenediols
  • Androstenes
  • Androstenols
  • Testosterone
  • Androstenedione
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone