Abstract
Bovine adrenal 20α-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase has been measured in various age groups. Fetal ( 33-35 weeks gestation);newborn;calf(prepuberal) and adult The substrate 20α-hydroxyprogesterone was used under conditions favoring oxidation. Results are as nM of progesterone produced/gm. protein/ 4 hours. Highest levels were in prepuberal calves:228-250 units. The second highest but much lower was in newborns, 68-73 units. Fetal glands had no activity and adult glands were low, 2-7 units. The highest levels in prepuberal tissue suggests the oxidoreductase reduces progesterone and precludes it from further conversion and side chain cleavage to C-19 steroids. With adrenarche the activity drops probably accounting for rises of the adrenal C-19 steroids at this time. Such a system may also operate in the gonads and represent an additional mechanism for onset of puberty. Absence of this oxidoreductase in the fetus is consistent with the known high levels of C-19 steroids. It is to be noted that under the conditions employed, 17α, 20α - dihydroxyprogesterone as substrate did not undergo oxidation. All measurements of extracts were made by suitable derivatives on GLC chromatography.
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Bongiovanni, A., Marino, J. 34: Adrenocortical 20α-hydroxysteroid oxidoreduotase at various ages. Pediatr Res 10, 877 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197610000-00036
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197610000-00036
