THE CONVERSION OF PROGESTERONE INTO TESTOSTERONE BY THE MOUSE OVARY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO ADRENAL X ZONE DEGENERATION

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
SUMMARY: Using incubation techniques, with progesterone as precursor, the capacity of the mouse ovary to form steroids was examined. Ovaries were taken from three groups of mice: (1) immature mice, (2) mature virgin females, (3) primigravid animals. The formation of the following steroids was suggested by the analytical methods used: 16-oxooestrone, 17-epioestriol, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, 20α-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, testosterone. Yields were very small from the ovaries of immature mice. The yields of oestrogens were greatest from ovaries of mature virgin females and of testosterone from those of pregnant mice. The factors contributing to the disappearance of the X zone of the adrenal gland during first pregnancy are discussed. It is concluded that one major factor is the secretion of testosterone by the ovary of the gravid mouse.