Steroid Metabolism in the Corpus Luteum of the Ferret

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Abstract
Implantation in the ferret is believed to be induced by a luteal substance which acts in concert with progesterone (P4) and which is secreted sometime between Days 6 and 8 of pregnancy. The primary steroid products synthesized by ferret corpora lutea (CL) on these 2 days of pregnancy were investigated. CL were dissected from ferrets on Day 6 or 8 of pregnancy and incubated with [3H] pregnenolone (P3), [3H]P4, or [3H]dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Controls with no tissue or with 50 .mu.l packed blood cells were incubated at the same time. After incubation of Day 6 CL with [3H]P3 for 180 min, 39% of the added label was incorporated into P4, 3% into 17.alpha.-hydroxyprogesterone (17.alpha.-OHP4) and 1% into androstenedione (A). Incubation of Day 8 CL with the same precursor resulted in 35, 1 and 0.65% of the label being incorporated into the previously mentioned products, respectively. Incubations of Day 6 and 8 ferret CL with [3H]P4 or [3H]DHEA confirmed these results, demonstrating activity of C21-steroid, 17.alpha.-hydroxylase and .DELTA.5-isomerase, 3.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3.beta.-HSD). Ferret CL evidently accumulate primarily steroids of the .DELTA.4 pathway on both Days 6 and 8 of pregnancy, with P4, 17.alpha.-OHP4, A and testosterone (T) being the most abundant products after in vitro incubation. Ferret CL appear to metabolize steroids in a manner similar to that observed in rats, sows and mares.

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