Metabolism of pregnenolone-4-14C and pregnenolone-7[alpha]-3H sulfate by the Macaca mulatta fetal adrenal in vitro

Abstract

These studies were initiated to ascertain the feasibility of utilizing the fetal monkey adrenal as a model for further studies on comparative steroid metabolism at various periods of gestation. Homogenates of midtrimester fetal monkey (Macaca mulatta) adrenals were incubated simultaneosly with pregnenolone-4-14C and pregnenolone-7[alpha]-3H sulfate. Conversion of both substrates to 17[alpha]-hydroxypregnenolone, 17[alpha]-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, 11[beta]-hydroxyandrostenedione, and cortisol as well at 17[alpha]-hydroxypregnenolone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate was demonstrated. Conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone was also shown. Neither free nor conjugated 16[alpha]-hydroxypregnenolone or 16[alpha]-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone were found.These studies demonstrate the capacity of the midtrimester fetal monkey adrenal to convert these free and sulfurylated steroid substrates to other [Delta]5-3[beta]-hydroxysteroid and [Delta]4-3-ketosteroids, as well as to other [Delta]5-3[beta]-hydroxysteroid sulfates.