title: HCG + ACTH stimulation of in vitro dehydroepiandrosterone production in human fetal adrenals from precursor cholesterol and delta5-pregnenolone.
abstract: Fetal adrenal glands were obtained from legal abortions in the 14--22 gestational weeks. The adrenal cortex was separated from the medulla using a micromanipulator. The cortex was homogenized in a glass-teflon homogenizer and the microsomal fraction was isolated by centrifugation. Tissue slices were also prepared by the method of Deutsch. The microsomal fraction or the slices were incubated with (4-14C) pregnenolone or (4-14C) cholesterol in the presence of an NADPH regenerating system and oxygen. ACTH or HCG was added. After extraction and paperchromatography radioactivity was determined in a scanner. The conversion of pregnenolone to 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone was increased by ACTH. In the presence of HCG dehydroepiandrosterone production only was increased,--and this occurred in slices only. In the microsomal fraction HCG was without effect on steroid biogenesis from dehydroepiandrosterone.
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000196:embryology*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008861:Microsomes / Q000378:metabolism; D011284:Pregnenolone / Q000378:metabolism; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D011284:Pregnenolone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D002784:Cholesterol