Formation and metabolism of 5(10)-estrene-3 beta,17 beta-diol, a novel 19-norandrogen produced by porcine granulosa cells from C19 aromatizable androgens.
The biosynthesis of non-aromatic 19-norsteroids has been studied using primary cultures of porcine granulosa cells. Formation of 5(10)-estrene-3 beta,17 beta-diol, a novel 19-norsteroid, from androstenedione and 19-hydroxyandrostenedione by porcine granulosa cells is reported for the first time. The structure was deduced from (i) comparison of its elution times on C18 reverse phase HPLC with authentic 5(10)-estrene-3 beta,17 beta-diol (ii) identification with 5(10)-estrene-3 beta,17 beta-diol-diacetate after acetylation (iii) oxidation/acid catalysed isomerization to 19-norandrostenedione. Serum or serum plus FSH significantly stimulated (seven fold increase) formation of 5(10)-estrene-3 beta,17 beta-diol from androstenedione and 19-hydroxyandrostenedione. Formation of 5(10)-estrene-3 beta,17 beta-diol from both substrates was significantly (p less than 0.01) reduced by the aromatase inhibitors 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (15 microM) and aminoglutethimide phosphate (10(-4)M). These results suggest that 5(10)-estrene-3 beta,17 beta-diol (and 19-norandrostenedione) may be formed by enzymes similar to the aromatase complex required for estradiol-17 beta biosynthesis. 5(10)-Estrene-3 beta,17 beta-diol is converted by granulosa cells to four metabolites. 19-Norandrostenedione was identified by crystallization to constant specific activity; 19-nortestosterone is a minor product. Production of 19-norandrostenedione and 19-nortestosterone indicates that granulosa cells possess the enzymes necessary for the transformation of 5(10)-estrene-3 beta,17 beta-diol and other 3-hydroxy-5(10)-estrenes to 19-nor-4-ene-3-ketosteroids. The formation of 5(10)-estrene-3 beta,17 beta-diol and 19-norandrostenedione as substantial metabolites of androstenedione suggest a physiological role for these 19-norsteroids in ovarian follicular development.
Khalil
M W
MW
Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Chung
N
N
Morley
P
P
Glasier
M A
MA
Armstrong
D T
DT
D000107:Acetylation; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004963:Estrenes / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D010070:Oxalates; D019815:Oxalic Acid; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013552:Swine
D004963:Estrenes; D010070:Oxalates; D000735:Androstenedione; C041287:3,17-dihydroxy-5-estrene; D019815:Oxalic Acid