7-HYDROXYLATION OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE IN HUMAN FOETAL LIVER, ADRENALS AND CHORION IN VITRO

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tissues from 30 human foetuses aged 5 to 22 weeks were used for the investigation of Δ5-steroid 7-hydroxylase activity. Homogenised liver, adrenals and chorion were incubated with dehydroepiandrosterone or 4-14C-dehydroepiandrosterone; 7α- and 7β-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone were identified as incubation products. Conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone to 7-hydroxylated compounds per 100 mg tissue was found to be highest in the liver and lowest in the chorion. No definite dependence of 7-hydroxylase activity on the developmental stage of the foetus was observed.