THE OCCURRENCE OF TESTOSTERONE AND 5α-DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE IN THE SUBMAXILLARY SALIVARY GLAND OF THE BOAR

Abstract

Testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone were extracted from the submaxillary salivary glands of boars at different ages, but were not detected in these glands of the female pig. After purification by thin-layer and paper chromatography the steroids were identified by gas—liquid chromatography and combined gas—liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry. In the submaxillary gland of the mature boar, a high concentration of androgen (> l μg/100 g) was found, and the concentration of 5α-dihydrotestosterone was two to four times higher than testosterone. Immediate steroid precursors of testosterone which are found in boar testis were not isolated. The isolation of the two potent androgens, and the known occurrence of 16-unsaturated C₁₉ steroids in the boar submaxillary gland, shows that there is a biochemical sexual dimorphism in this gland of the pig, which is primarily under the influence of testicular hormones.