An Estrogen Study in the Feminized Dog with Testicular Neoplasia

Abstract

Estrogen production was studied in feminized dogs having testicular Sertoli cell tumors. Significant amounts of free estrogens could not be detected in 2 such tumors. Incubation of radioactive progesterone and testosterone in vitro with a homogenate and tissue culture of Sertoli cell tumors resulted in the conversion to other neutral compounds; however, conversion to the phenolic estrogens could not be demonstrated. Estrogen concentrations in urine and peripheral plasma of a number of feminized dogs were not elevated. The possibility that femlnization is the result of estrogenic materials of unknown structure is suggested.