Effect of androstanediol sulfates on luteinizing hormone release in ovariectomized rats.

Androstanediols are the major products of the immature rat ovary and are present in peripheral circulation mainly as sulfate conjugates. In this paper we identified 5αandrostane-3β,17β3-diol-3-monosulfate (3β-A-MS) as one of the forms found in blood and subsequently synthesized and administered it to ovariectomized rats at a dose of 100 μg/100 gBWday from 21–45 days of age. This dose effectively inhibits postcastrational LH elevation. Other androstanediols examined, like 5alpha;-A-3alpha;17β-diol-disulfate, 5alpha;-A-3β,17alpha;-diol-disulfate, and the free 5alpha;-A-3β17β-diol do not exert such an effect on LH release. The MCR of 3β-A-MS was 441±64 ml/h, independent of the infusion rate between 0.15–15.0 μg/h, and its production rate was calculated to be 37μg/day at the age of 30 days. The quantitative relations of the steroid level in serum to its capacity to inhibit LH release was studied using Silastic capsules. A steady concentration of 1.1 ng 3β-A-MS/ml serum inhibits postcastrational LH release in ...