title: Analysis of steroid metabolites produced by theca cells from the adult domestic hen.
abstract: In a previous study on steroid metabolism by hen ovarian cells we reported on the production of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OH), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), and oestrogens from [3H]progesterone (P) by theca cells. The present study examines further the metabolism of P by theca cells from the preovulatory follicles of the hen. The results show that the major metabolite of P is 20 beta-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20 beta-DHP), representing up to 40% of the recovered radioactivity. In addition, 3 alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-20-one (3 alpha-DHP) and 17 alpha,20 beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20 beta) were identified as metabolites of P, comprising 1 and 3% of the recovered radioactivity, respectively. This is the first evidence that the allylic steroid, 3 alpha-DHP, can be produced by avian ovaries.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation; D002645:Chickens; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids; D011374:Progesterone