STUDIES ON THE AROMATISATION OF NEUTRAL STEROIDS IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Abstract

ABSTRACT The following steroids, [7α-3H]5-androstene-3β,16α,17β-triol and [4-14C] 5-androstene-3β,16β,17β-triol were biosynthesized and their metabolism was studied in two subjects at midgestation, following placental perfusion in situ. Among the metabolites isolated in a radiochemically homogeneous form, exclusively 3H-labelled 16α,17β-dihydroxy-4-androsten-3-one was isolated from the extracts of placentas and perfusates. Exclusively 14C-labelled 16β,17β-dihydroxy-4-androsten-3-one was isolated from the placentas and perfusates and 16-epioestriol (1,3,5(10)-oestratriene-3,16β,17β-triol) from the placentas, perfusates and urine specimens. The following compounds contained both 3H and 14C-label: oestriol (placentas and urine specimens) and 5β-androstane-3α,16α,17β-triol (urine specimens). The 3H/14C-ratio of oestriol isolated from the urine specimens was much lower than that of urinary 5β-androstane-3α,16α,17β-triol, or that of the oestriol isolated from the placentas. The 3H/14C-ratio of the oestriol isolated from the urine 2–4 days following the perfusion was lower than that of the perfused material. It is concluded that a considerable amount of the 16-epioestriol secreted by the placenta is gradually converted to oestriol by the maternal organism. A limited conversion occurs also in the placenta.