The human corpus luteum secretes 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione.
A radioimmunoassay for 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione (5 alpha-DHP) in plasma is described. The concentration of 5 alpha-DHP in peripheral plasma during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle was of the same order of magnitude as that of progesterone (P). During the luteal phase, the plasma 5 alpha-DHP was 8-fold higher than in the follicular phase and about 1/3 of the P concentration. The concentration of 5 alpha-DHP in ovarian venous plasma draining an ovary containing the corpus luteum was 22-fold higher than the concentration in plasma from the contralateral ovarian vein. These results show that the corpus luteum secretes significant amounts of 5 alpha-DHP.
D043582:5-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone; D002845:Chromatography; D002854:Chromatography, Paper; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation; D011277:Pregnanediones / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D011277:Pregnanediones; D011374:Progesterone; D043582:5-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone