Abstract
A rapid technique for the simultaneous determination of serum 5alpha-androstane-17beta-0l-3-one (DHT) and testosterone (T) was developed and validated. The procedure incorporates a chromatographic step prior to binding with a T-3BSA antiserum. Anakrom columns used to separate DHT from T also isolate other steroids quickly and efficiently. Utilizing this procedure, levels of both androgens have been measured in the intact ram, bull and boar. Concentrations of DHT and T expressed as mean +/- SE in ng/ml were respectively: ram, 0.14 +/- 0.03 and 4.96 +/- 0.80; bull, 0.10 +/- 0.01 and 3.92 +/- 0.80; boar, 0.71 +/- 0.11 and 5.58 +/- 0.64. Whether these minute quantities of serum DHT play important physiological roles, particularly in the boar, is unresolved. Monitoring DHT under varying experimental or pathological conditions may allude to its importance in the domestic male.