Atrial natriuretic factor inhibits the early pathway of steroid biosynthesis in bovine adrenal cortex.

We have previously determined that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a potent inhibitor of steroid secretion in cultured bovine zona glomerulosa and fasciculata cells. The present report describes a comparison of the effect produced by ANF on aldosterone, deoxycorticosterone and progesterone secretions by zona glomerulosa cells and on cortisol, corticosterone and progesterone secretions by zona fasciculata cells. The equipotent inhibitory action of ANF on the stimulated secretion of these steroids in both cell types indicates a common site of action prior to progesterone synthesis at which ANF inhibits the steroidogenic pathway.