Steroids in spermatic and peripheral vein blood in testicular feminization

Steroid secretion by the testes in three postpubertal patients with testicular feminization was studied by comparing the steroid concentrations in spermatic and peripheral blood samples obtained prior to gonadectomy. Testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione were the predominant steroids secreted by these testes. Values for spermatic vein testosterone (60 to 700 nmoles/liter) were lower than those previously reported for normal men, but values for DHEA (20 to 240 nmoles/liter) and androstenedione (30 to 250 nmoles/liter) were within the range found in normal men. The testes of these three patients also secreted pregnenolone, progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, dihydrotestosterone, testosterone sulfate, and estradiol. After gonadectomy, the plasma concentration of estradiol declined considerably less than that of testosterone, indicating that estrogen formation from adrenal precursors continued after gonadectomy in these patients.