Effects of Estrogen Treatment on Human Testicular Unconjugated Steroid and Steroid Sulfate Production in Vivo*

To analyze the relationships between human testicular unconjugated and sulfate-conjugated steroids, we investigated the effects of estradiol [polyestradiol phosphate (E2)] and a synthetic estrogen [diethylstilbestrol diphosphate (DESDP)] on testicular, spermatic venous, and peripheral venous serum concentrations of these compounds. Six unconjugated steroids and 4 steroid sulfates were measured by specific RIAs after chromatography in 27 prostatic carcinoma patients without preceding endocrine therapy and in 29 patients castrated after E2 or DESDP treatment. E2 treatment decreased testicular concentrations of pregnenolone, testosterone (T), and 5 a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Testicular androstenedione concentrations were also decreased, whereas progesterone concentrations increased, and there were decreased testicular concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-SO4) and 5-androstene-3β,17β-diol sulfate. Spermatic venous concentrations of 17a-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), T, and DHT as well as th...