Progesterone metabolism by adrenal homogenates of rats treated with 7, 12-dimethylbenz [A] anthracene.

[4-C]-progesterone has been incubated with adrenal homogenates prepared from rats which had been administered the carcinogen, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene. The production of corticosterone was reduced markedly in preparations from treated animals when compared to untreated control animals. During the second week following treatment, an increased synthesis of corticosterone and other adrenal cortical steroids becomes evident. The relationship between adrenal cortical pathology, circulating plasma corticosterone levels and impairment of biosynthetic hydroxylating enzyme systems following administration of the carcinogen is discussed.