Steroid Conversions by the 19-Day Old Foetal Rat Ovary in Organ Culture

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Abstract
The ovaries from 19-day old fetal rats were culture in vitro on Wolff and Haffen''s semi-solid medium with radioactive progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone or androstenedione added as precursors, and in the presence or absence of lutropin, follitropin and human chorion gonadotropin. After a 24-h culture period, the media were analyzed for the presence of testosterone, androstenedione, estrone and estradiol, which were measured by specific activity determination after isotopic dilution. Testosterone and estradiol were synthesized in only low amounts from either precursor, androstenedione and estrone in good yields. 17.beta.-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase favors oxidation rather than reduction. A stimulative effect of any gonadotropin on either conversion step could not be shown. Taking into account the literature on the subject, proposals are made for further studies.