Endocrine Abstracts

3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 isomerase (HSD3B) is a key enzyme catalyzing an essential step in the formation of all classes of steroid hormones. Previously, we have reported the presence of androgen receptors in the fetal porcine gonads denoting the role of androgens during gonadal development. There is also growing evidence that steroid hormones modulate HSD3B expression. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of androgen defici...

It was established that androgens are able to modulate luteal function during pregnancy by stimulation of corpus luteum (CL) progesterone release. In pigs, CL is the main source of progesterone through the entire gestation. Our previous study revealed that porcine CL is capable of androgen synthesis during second half of pregnancy. Therefore, we suggest that androgens, in addition to progesterone, are essential for the maintenance of pregnancy in pigs.Th...