Abstract
The etiology of durable pubertal gynecomastia remains unexplained. Hormonal studies are controversial and receptor measurements inconclusive. A local conversion of androgens has been suggested. We have studied glandular and adipose fractions obtained from mastectomy of 3 adolescent boys. Microsomal suspension of the tissues was incubated with 14C testosterone or 3H-Δ4-androstenedione. Aromatization activity was measured by tritiated water formed during the incubation. Placental microsomes served as control. The identification of estrogen products was performed as follows: sodium partition, filtration on isomerase column, elution of the radioactivity corresponding to estrogens (E3) and finally gel chromatography of that extract. In placental microsomes, aromatase activity was: 0.66 pmoles/mg protein/min; in adipose tissues: 0.14 fmoles/mg protein/min; in glandular tissues: 0.13 fmoles/mg protein/min. We conclude that in vitro gynecomastic glandular tissue transforms androgen to the same extent as adipose tissue. An exaggerated local estrogen formation can most likely be excluded.
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Sultan, C., Nicolas, J., Descomps, B. et al. ANDROGEN AROMATIZATION IN GYNECOMASTIA: IN VITRO STUDIES. Pediatr Res 12, 1100 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197811000-00112
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197811000-00112