STEROID HYDROXYLATION IN HUMAN FETAL ADRENALS: FORMATION OF 16±-HYDROXYPROGESTERONE, 17-HYDROXYPROGESTERONE AND DEOXYCORTICOSTERONE1

Abstract

Slices and homogenates of human fetal adrenals incubated with progesterone-4-C¹⁴ were shown to possess the enzymes necessary for converting this to deoxycorticosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and 16±-hydroxyprogesterone. The amount of product formed depended on the age of the fetus and to some extent on the conditions of incubation. The experiments suggest that 21-hydroxylase appears later in development than 16- and 17-hydroxylases. The possibility that androstenedione may be formed early in gestation but not later in gestation is suggested by the experimental results. Similar incubations with acetate-2-C¹⁴, mevalonic acid-2-C¹⁴ or cholesterol-4-C¹⁴ yielded no detectable radioactivity associated with the steroid carriers.