IN-VITRO SYNTHESIS OF 20-ALPHA-REDUCED AND OF 11-OXYGENATED AND 21-OXYGENATED STEROIDS AND THEIR SULFATES BY TESTES OF THE GOLDFISH (CARASSIUS-AURATUS) - TESTICULAR SYNTHESIS OF CORTICOSTEROIDS

Testes from spermiating goldfish were incubated with [H-3]17-hydroxypr ogesterone. The major products in the unconjugated fraction were ident ified as androstenedione, androstenetrione, 11-beta-hydroxyandrostened ione, 11-ketotestosterone, 17,20alpha-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20 alphaP) and 11-deoxycortisol. Testosterone was present predominantly i n the glucuronide fraction, but yields were low (1-3%). The major comp onents of the sulfate fraction were 17,20alphaP and 11-deoxycortisol. The identification of cortisone in low yield (< 2.5%) in both the free and sulfate fractions is the first report of corticosteroid biosynthe sis by a teleost testis. The high yields of 17,20alphaP and 11-deoxyco rtisol and their sulphates suggests that their possible role in spermi ation of the goldfish should be further investigated.