Metabolism of Estrone-6,7-3H Sulfate-35S in the Perfused Human Fetus1

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Abstract
Four human fetuses of 4-5 months of gestation were perfused with estrone-6,7-H3 sulfate-S35. The doubly labeled estrogen was used to follow the metabolism of estrone sulfate and to determine the extent of metabolism occurring without hydrolysis. Radioactivity was found in all the examined organs but was most concentrated in liver and kidney. The radioactive metabolities contained in liver were further investigated in 2 fetuses, using different analytical procedures. In the first instance, there was evidence for several unidentified estrogen sulfates, all with a S35 h3 ratio the same as that of the perfused estrone sulfate, indicating metabolism of the estrone radical without prior hydrolysis. In the second liver extract, estrone sulfate contributed 13%, estradiol sulfate 1.7% and unidentified estrogen sulfates most of the remaining radioactivity. A constant S35 h3 ratio of the various estrogen sulfates at the level of the perfused estrone sulfate again indicated metabolism without prior hydrolysis. Estriol-3-sulfate (1% of the liver H3 was also identified, but the S35 h3 ratio could not be established.