Figure 9.

The steroid synthesis pathway showing genes regulated in this study. The pathways of steroid synthesis showing the expression patterns of transcripts associated with the different biosynthesis steps. Through a series of enzyme reactions, cholesterol is converted into testosterone (T), which is subsequently converted either to E2 or to 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT). For a detailed explanation see the text. hsd3b7 - hydroxyl-delta- 5 steroid 3 beta and steroid delta-isomerase7, hsd17b3 - hydroxysteroid 17b dehydrogenase, hsd11b2 - hydroxysteroid 11b dehydrogenase 2, star - steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cyp19a1a - cytochrome p450 19a, and cyp11b - 11 beta hydroxylase.