Endocrinology, Vol 117, 2176-2181, Copyright © 1985 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of androgens in equine ovarian follicles at ultrastructurally defined stages of development. Identification of 19-nortestosterone in follicular fluid

P Silberzahn, L Dehennin, I Zwain and A Reiffsteck

Follicular fluid was obtained from equine follicles at different stages of development as determined by ultrastructural study. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry associated with stable isotope dilution permitted the demonstration of high levels of 4-estrene-3,7- dione and 17 beta-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one, 17 beta-hydroxy-4-estren-3- one levels often being about 10 times higher than those of testosterone. These findings suggest that in the mare ovary, an aromatizing pathway may proceed using these 19-norsteroids as intermediates. As a consequence of this high level of 19-norsteroids, testosterone content may be most often overestimated by RIA. RIA of steroids in follicular fluid should be validated by a reference technique based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, associated with stable isotope dilution.

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