Progesterone metabolism in cultured amniotic fluid cells.
Amniotic fluid cells obtained by amnicentesis at 16-20 weeks' gestation were grown in culture until a confluent monolayer of cell had been formed. Radiolabeled pregnenolone, progesterone and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone were added to the cell cultures; steroid metabolites which formed after 24 and 48 hours of incubation were identified. Incubation of the cell cultures with pregnenolone-3H resulted in the formation of progesterone, 17alpha-progesterone and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone. A significant amount of progesterone was identified after incubating the cell cultures with 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone. The results indicate that 3 beta-ol-dehydrogenase, 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes are present in cultured amniotic fluid cells obtained at 16-20 weeks' gestation.
D004092:20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002854:Chromatography, Paper; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D006801:Humans; D011284:Pregnenolone / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D011372:Progestins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D011372:Progestins; D004092:20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone; D011374:Progesterone; D011284:Pregnenolone