In vitro synthesis of 20α-reduced and of 11- 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 [(3)H]17-hydroxyprogesterone. The major products in the unconjugated fraction were identified as androstenedione, androstenetrione, 11-β-hydroxyandrostenedione, 11-ketotestosterone, 17,20α-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20αP) and 11-deoxycortisol. Testosterone was present predominantly in the glucuronide fraction, but yields were low (1-3%). The major components of the sulfate fraction were 17,20αP and 11-deoxycortisol. The identification of cortisone in low yield (< 2.5010) in both the free and sulfate fractions is the first report of corticosteroid biosynthesis by a teleost testis. The high yields of 17,20αP and 11-deoxycortisol and their sulphates suggests that their possible role in spermiation of the goldfish should be further investigated.