An NADPH-dependent reductase in neonatal pig testes that metabolizes androgens and xenobiotics

We have isolated an NADPH-dependent reductase from neonatal pig testes that metabolizes androgens and a variety of xenobiotics, This enzyme is distinc t from 3 alpha/beta,20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase or its homologue, carbonyl reductase, as judged by its immunological and molecular properties and its much narrower specificity for steroids. This reductase and 3 alpha /beta, 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase may be Dart of a mechanism for regulating androgen levels the neonatal pig testes. interestingly, we could not find multiple isoforms of 3 alpha/beta,20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrog enase/carbonyl reductase in pig testes unlike human and rat testes and othe r organs in which multiple isoforms are expressed.