Journal article

Publication year: 2018

Pages: 55-63

Journal: The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Volume number: 179

ISSN: 0960-0760

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.10.006

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
Sulfonated steroids (s-St) have been usually regarded as inactive metabolites but are progressively considered as precursors for the intra-tissue formation of bioactive steroids. Moreover, independent effects without preceding removal of the sulfate group have been observed. We use the porcine testicular-epididymal compartment as a model to investigate the still largely unknown s-St physiology as the boar exhibits an intriguingly broad s-St spectrum predominantly originating from the testis. The application of LC-MS/MS in steroidomics enables the determination of unconjugated and intact sulfonated steroids with currently highest specificity and good sensitivity, allowing the concurrent measuring of numerous analytes in larger quantities of samples. Profiles (6 h, 20 min intervals) were generated for sulfonated 5-androstene-3 beta,17 beta-diol (Adiol-S), androsterone (A-S), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-S), epiandrosterone (EA-S), epitestosterone (ET-S), estrone (E1-S), estradio1-17 beta (E2-S), pregnenolone (P5-S), 17 alpha OH-pregnenolone (OHP5-S) and unconjugated testosterone (T) in four unstimulated and four hCG-stimulated boars. Moreover, concentrations were measured in individual samples collected from testicular afferent and efferent blood to differentiate between testicular vs. extratesticular origin. Highest concentrations were found for EA-S, followed by ET-S,Adiol-S and DHEA-S, which mostly exceeded the levels of El S and A-S. Lowest concentrations were obtained for E2-S, P5-S and OHP5-S. The analytical profile also included sulfonated T, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and cholesterol. However, their concentrations were below the limit of quantification. Profiles of quantifiable s-St were consistent with a wave-like pattern associated with T pulses. In postpartal females (n = 5) concentrations of all analytes assessed were undetectable, suggesting that in pigs the adrenals are not a quantitatively significant source of s-St.

Harvard Citation style: Schuler, G., Sanchez-Guijo, A., Hartmann, M. and Wudy, S. (2018) Simultaneous profiles of sulfonated androgens, sulfonated estrogens and sulfonated progestogens in postpubertal boars (sus scrofa domestica) measured by LC-MS/MS, The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 179, pp. 55-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.10.006

APA Citation style: Schuler, G., Sanchez-Guijo, A., Hartmann, M., & Wudy, S. (2018). Simultaneous profiles of sulfonated androgens, sulfonated estrogens and sulfonated progestogens in postpubertal boars (sus scrofa domestica) measured by LC-MS/MS. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 179, 55-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.10.006