Characteristics of the Formation and Conversion of Androgenic Hormones in the Rat Adrenal Gland

Abstract

Incubated rat adrenal slices failed to convert cholesterol, pregnenolone and 17-OH-progesterone into C19-steroids under the experimental conditions used. Dehydroepiandrosterone was converted to androstenedione and 11-OH-androstenedione. The formation of androstenedione and 11-OH-androstenedione could also be demonstrated by using testosterone precursor. Corticotrophin in vitro did not affect the rate of conversion and the amount of 11-hydroxylated derivative increased when ATP was also added to the medium. Human chorionic gonadotrophin enhanced 11-hydroxylation in the presence of ATP. Inhibition of 11β-hydroxylase activity by metopirone was not affected by ATP.