ANDROGEN METABOLISM BY HUMAN-FETAL EPIPHYSEAL CARTILAGE AND ITS CHONDROCYTES IN PRIMARY CULTURE

Androgen metabolism by human epiphyseal cartilage and chondrocytes in primary culture was studied during fetal life. Testosterone (T) and androstenedione (.DELTA.4) were incubated with epiphyseal cartilage and with chondrocytes in Dulbecco''s medium for 4, 12, and 24 h. Androstanedione, .DELTA.S4, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and androstanediol were separated by bidimensional TLC and .DELTA.4, DHT, and T recrystalized in 5 different solvent systems. .DELTA.4 was transformed into androstanedione, DHT, and T whereas T was metabolized into .DELTA.4 and 5.alpha.-reduced androgens. In both systems (epiphyseal cartilage and chondrocytes) .DELTA.4 was the principal metabolite produced from T. There were no major differences in the metabolic patterns of .DELTA.4 and T between epiphyseal cartilage and chondrocytes according to sex nor gestational age (11-32 wk). 5.alpha.-Reductase activity was found in chondrocytes from human fetuses of both sexes, but T was mainly transformed into .DELTA.4.