THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF ADRENOCORTICAL HORMONES BY THE HUMAN ADRENAL GLANDIN VITRO1

Abstract
The results of a preliminary study on the biosynthesis of adrenocortical hormones by the human adrenal gland in vitro are presented. The substrates investigated were 3[beta]-hydroxy-[DELTA]5-pregnene-20-one, progesterone, 17[alpha]-hydroxy-progesterone, compound S (17[alpha],21-dihydroxy-[DELTA]4-pregnene-3,20-dione), and deoxycorticosterone. The results have led to the proposal of the following tentative scheme of adrenocortical biosynthesis by the human adrenal: 3[beta]-hydroxy-[DELTA]5-pregnene-20-one.[long dash]>progesterone->17[alpha]-hydroxy- progesterone[image].