Steroid Biosynthesisin Vitroby Cryptorchid Testes from a Case of Testicular Feminization

Abstract

The in vitro biosynthesis of steroids was studied in testicular and Sertoli cell tumor tissue from cryptorchid gonads removed from a patient with testicular feminization syndrome. Similar steroid biosynthetic patterns were observed in both tissues. No evidence was obtained to suggest that this endocrine disorder could be explained by an inability to synthesize testosterone. The formation of estrogens in vitro was not demonstrated. Evidence was obtained that the pathway of androgen biogenesis may involve C-20 reduction prior to C-17 side chain cleavage from the C₂₁-steroid. 16α-Hydroxylation of proges terone by testicular tissue is described.