Abstract
The transformation of Δ5-3β-hydroxy steroids to Δ4-3-ketosteroids, a two-stage reaction which requires the participation of a Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.51) and Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase (EC 5.3.3.1), has been studied in ovaries of immature mice. The substrates employed in this investigation were: 3β-hydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one (pregnenolone) and 3β-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one (dehydroepiandrosterone). The products of the enzymic reaction, progesterone and 4-androstenedione respectively, were identified by thin layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The radiochemical purity was established by recrystallization to constant specific activity. The evidence accumulated is sufficient to establish that the ovaries of immature mice 'devoid of corpora lutea' are capable of converting exogenous pregnenolone to progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone to 4-androstenedione.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 203-213 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Journal of Steroid Biochemistry |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 1971 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Our thanks are due to Dr. B. Sklarz of the Chemistry Department, Bar-flan University. for his help in performing the mass spectrometric analysis. The technical assistance of Mrs. V. Rotary is gratefully acknowledged. This research study was supported by Ford Foundation Grant No. 67-470.
Funding
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Our thanks are due to Dr. B. Sklarz of the Chemistry Department, Bar-flan University. for his help in performing the mass spectrometric analysis. The technical assistance of Mrs. V. Rotary is gratefully acknowledged. This research study was supported by Ford Foundation Grant No. 67-470.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Ford Foundation | 67-470 |