The conversion of delta 5-steriods to testosterone and androstenedione in human amniotic epithelium in vitro.

3 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase / delta 5-4 isomerase activity was demonstrated in the human amniotic epithelium from the first trimester of pregnancy. The evidence was based on the in vitro formation of [4-14C] testosterone and [4-14C] androstenedione from [4-14C] 5-androstenediol and [4-14CA1 DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE, RESPECTIVELY. The activity of the enzyme studied in age dependent, reaching a maximum in the 8th-9th week of pregnancy and decreasing to negligible values at the end of the second trimester of gestation.