Steroid metabolism of foetal tissues. I. Metabolism of pregnenolone-4-14C by human foetal ovaries.

The metabolism of pregnenolone-4-14C of ovaries from human foetuses ranging in age from the 14th through the 42th week of gestation was studied by a double isotope method in vitro. Progesterone was found as the main metabolite. The rate of conversion is correlated with histochemical findings of the same material and comparison with the FSH- and LH-concentration in human foetal pituitaries is made. As further metabolites only 17alpha-hydroxypregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone were isolated. For comparison tissue from a polycystic ovary was investigated with the same method.