Influence of oleoyl-estrone treatment on circulating testosterone. Role of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoenzymes.

Overweight male rats received oral oleoyl-estrone (OE) for 10 days, and were compared with controls. The expression of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17betaHSDH) isoenzymes, and other proteins related to sex hormone metabolism, were analyzed in testicle, liver, adrenals and two white adipose sites: subcutaneous inguinal and epididymal pads using a semiquantitative RT-PCR method. Androstenedione, testosterone, estrone and estradiol levels were measured by HPLC-MS/MS. Isoenzyme expressions were grouped according to their main physiological function (oxidative or reductive) and preferred substrate (androgen or estrogen). As expected, testicle was the main site for synthesis of testosterone and estradiol, and the liver the main organ oxidizing them to androstenedione and estrone. Overall oxidative capacity was 6.5-fold higher than the reductive, and estradiol synthesis and oxidation potential were higher than for testosterone. OE decreased serum androgens, and increased estrone, but not estradiol. This was due to decreased testicle ability to produce testosterone, because of smaller size and decreased 17betaHSDH3 expression, but also to lower availability of precursors. High estrone availability (from OE hydrolysis) does not translate into higher estradiol because of decreased testicle reductive 17betaHSDH expression and decreased aromatase. In consequence, we can assume that OE effects on androgens, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis are limited to testicles.