Effect of 4-hydroxyandrostenedione on 19-hydroxylation of deoxycorticosterone in the golden Syrian hamster.

4-Hydroxyandrostenedione, a known inhibitor of ovarian and peripheral aromatization of androgen (testosterone and androstenedione) to form estrogen, was studied for its inhibitory effect on the 19-hydroxylating enzyme system of the adrenal for the conversion of deoxycorticosterone to 19-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone. In vitro incubation of Golden Syrian hamster adrenal homogenates with tritiated deoxycorticosterone demonstrated (80-85%) reduction in label incorporated into 19-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone in the presence of 4-hydroxyandrostenedione.