OESTROGEN METABOLISM IN THE HUMAN FOETUS

Abstract

ABSTRACT The nature of the conjugated oestrogen formed by the human foetus in vivo following intra-amniotic administration or perfusion of 17β-oestradiol (oestra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17β-diol) and oestriol (oestra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,16α,17β-triol), respectively, was studied. Sodium 17β-oestradiol-3-sulphate and (indirectly) sodium oestrone sulphate were identified in extracts of lungs, liver and kidneys of foetuses treated with 17β-oestradiol. An additional compound, probably a conjugated form of 2-methoxy-17β-oestradiol was also detected in the liver of such foetuses. Sodium oestriol-3-sulphate was identified in extracts of lungs, liver and kidneys of foetuses treated with oestriol. In pooled extracts of intestines of untreated foetuses two conjugated forms of oestriol were detected; one was characterized as sodium oestriol-16(17?)-glucosiduronate, whereas the other is presumably identical with sodium oestriol-3-sulphate. It is concluded that among the different foetal organs at least the lungs, liver and kidneys are capable of sulphurylating steroid oestrogens. It is likely that oestrogen sulphurylation reactions also take place in other foetal organs. It is suggested that the intestinal mucosa of the human may be a potential site of oestrogen glucosiduronation.