Testosterone, progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, and 20α-dihydroprogesterone have been measured in the spermatic and peripheral venous blood of 17 prepubertal boys undergoing surgery for undescended testis or inguinal hernia repair. Mean (±SE) spermatic testosterone and progesterone (538 ± 212 and 704 ± 110 pg/ml, respectively) were significantly higher (P < 0.005) than peripheral levels (91 ± 11 and 419 ± 71 pg/ml, respectively). No significant spermatic-peripheral gradient was found for 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and 20α-dihydroprogesterone. These in vivo studies demonstrate that the secretory pattern of the prepubertal testis is different from the adult testis. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab56: 831, 1983)

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