THE CONVERSION OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE-7α-3H TO OESTROGENS BY CORPORA LUTEA OF EARLY HUMAN PREGNANCY

Abstract

Facubation of two corpora lutea of early human pregnancy in the presence of dehydroepiandrosterone-7[alpha]-3H resulted in a 33-44% yield of oestrone phis 17[beta]-oestradiol. The major oestrogen formed in homogenate preparations was oestrone while in a slice preparation it was 17[beta]-oestradiol. Oestrone and 17[beta]-oestradiol were characterized by solvent partition, paper chromatography and crystallization to constant specific activity after addition of carrier. Acetates of the crystallized oestrogens had the same specific activities as the parent steroids and these derivatives were further identified by thin layer chromatography. These results suggest that dehydroepiandrosterone may serve as a major precursor for oestrogen biosynthesis by human corpus luteum of early pregnancy.