Androgen metabolism in somatic and germinal tissues of the sea star Asterias vulgaris.

1. Cell-free homogenates of male and female pyloric caeca, body wall, testis and ovary were incubated with radiolabeled 3H-androstenedione. 2. Pyloric caeca had highest rates of androstenedione conversion. The predominant metabolites in the pyloric caeca were testosterone, 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol and 5 beta-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol. 3. In body wall, testicular and ovarian homogenates, androstenedione was converted primarily to testosterone and also to 5 alpha-androstanedione and epiandrosterone. 4. Qualitative and quantitative differences in androgen metabolism in somatic and germinal tissues may be related to tissue-specific regulation of cellular metabolism.