Metabolism of androgens by isolated human beard hair follicles

Human beard hair follicles were incubated in vitro with testosterone-7- 3H, androstenedione-1,2- 3H and dehydroepiandrosterone-4- 14C.The principal metabolites of testosterone were androstenedione, 5α-androstanedione, 5α-dihydrotestosterone and androsterone. The conversion of androstenedione into testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone was very limited. Dehydroepiandrosterone was metabolized to 5-androstene-3β,17β-diol, 7α-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione, with rates of formation far exceeding those reported for human skin. The significance of these metabolic transformations is discussed with special reference to the mechanism of action of androgens.