Metabolism of C19-delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroids in the term human amnion.
In human amniotic epithelium isolated from fetal membranes of 2 preterm and 14 full-term fetuses conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) into 7-hydroxy-DHA and other highly polar metabolites, to 5-androstenediol and to a lesser extent into androstenedione and testosterone was observed. Similarly, 5-androstenediol was converted by the amniotic epithelium into DHA, highly polar metabolites and also, to a lesser extent, into testosterone and androstenedione. The conversion was higher (with the exception of androstenedione formation) in amnions from preterm deliveries than from the full-term pregnancies. There were no sexual differences. In comparison with the results of our previous study it may be suggested that the formation of delta 4-3-oxo metabolites (testosterone, androstenedione) is maximal in the first trimester, decreases in the second trimester and remains low in the third. In contrast, the oxidation of 5-androstenediol to DHA and the formation of highly polar metabolites is maximal at the end of the second and early in the third trimester and decreases as the delivery approaches.
D000650:Amnion / Q000378:metabolism*; D000734:Androstenediols / Q000378:metabolism*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012737:Sex Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
D000734:Androstenediols; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone