Arrhenoblastoma tissue slices were incubated in vitro with progesterone-4-C14. The radioactive products isolated were 20α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 20β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one,17-hydroxyprogesterone, 4-androstene-3,17-dione and testosterone. No estrogen was formed, nor was there evidence of the presence of the enzyme 11β-hydroxylase. Considerable significance is attached to the demonstration of the biosynthesis, in this tumor tissue, of the very potent androgen testosterone, as affording a ready explanation for the virilism associated with the syndrome and the frequent finding of normal (or slightly elevated) urinary 17-ketosteroid levels.

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