Metabolism of 14C-dehydroepiandrosterone in female adipose tissue and venous blood.

The metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone in female adipose tissue and venous blood in 11 patients was studied by a double isotope method which is described in detail. The main metabolite isolated, identified and quantitated was androstenediol. The conversion rate of dehydroepiandrosterone to androstenediol for adipose tissue ranged between 3.32-14.28% (X = 7.47 +/- 3.34 SD) and for venous blood between 2.88-9.60% (X = 5.84 +/- 1.80 SD). The values found for androstenedione and testostrone did not differ from the control experiments. Oestrone and oestradiol could not be detected. The contribution of the peripheral steroid metabolism to the pool of androgenic steroids is discussed.