The effect of progesterone analogues, naturally occurring steroids, and contraceptive progestins on hypothalamic and anterior pituitary delta4-steroid (progesterone) 5alpha-reductase.

The effects of a number of steroids on the conversion of progesterone to 5alpha-dihydroprogesterone by hypothalamic and pituitary progesterone 5alpha-reductase have been investigated. Using enzyme preparations from female rats and 3H-progesterone as substrate, 5alpha-reduced products (5alpha-dihydroprogesterone and 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one) were analyzed by reverse isotopic dilution analysis. The amount of total 5alpha-reduced products formed was compared in the presence and absence of the test steroid. Derivatives lacking the delta4 and/or the 3-keto moiety were without effect. Corticosterone had no effect. 16beta-Methylprogesterone inhibited progesterone 5alpha-reduction in both tissues by at least 65%, while the 2alpha-, 6alpha-, and 7alpha-methylated derivatives had lesser effects. 3-Oxo-4-pregnene-20beta-carboxaldehyde and 21-fluoroprogesterone were potent inhibitors. 17-Hydroxyprogesterone was a competitive inhibitor (substrate) with Ki's of 0.27 micrometer (pituitary) and 0.29 micrometer (hypothalamus). Medroxyprogesterone exerted little inhibitory effect. Of the 19-nor-steroids examined, only norethindrone appreciably inhibited the 5alpha-reduction. These results suggest that some natural delta4-3-ketosteroids can modify enzymatic activity. Also, inhibitory analogues may be useful for studies on the role of this 5alpha-reduction of progesterone.