CORTISOL METABOLISM BY THE ISOLATED AND PERFUSED NEWBORN RABBIT LIVER

Abstract

SUMMARY After perfusion of newborn rabbit liver with [1,2-3H]cortisol two radioactive metabolites were isolated from the perfusate and identified as 3α,11β,17α,21-tetrahydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one (THF) and 11β,17α,20β,21-tetrahydroxypregn-4-en-3-one (20β-dihydrocortisol). The amount of metabolites recovered in the perfusate of livers of 1-day-old animals was lower than when 11- to 12-day-old animals were used. The results suggest a relative deficiency in the liver of newborn rabbits of the enzyme reducing ring A and the 20-oxo group of cortisol.