In Vitro Effects of Estrogens on the Δ4-Reduction of Testosterone by Rat Prostate and Liver Preparations

Abstract

The inhibitory effects of six estrogens (estradiol, estriol, ethynylestradiol, mestranol, diethylstilbestrol, and chlorotrianisene) on testosterone Δ⁴-reduction were studied in rat prostate and liver preparations. In the prostate homogenates only those estrogens with a complete steroid structure and a free phenolic hydroxyl group at position 3 of the steroid nucleus inhibited testosterone 5α-reduction when present at 600 times the concentration of testosterone. The inhibition by estradiol was found to be competitive for prostate homogenate, microsomal, and nuclear preparations. In the liver preparations (homogenate, microsomal, and soluble fractions) all six estrogens inhibited significantly when present at the same concentration as testosterone; diethylstilbestrol and ethynylestradiol were the most effective ones.