Adrenal biogenesis in vivo of androgens and cortisol in the guinea-pig using a continuous infusion technique..L EndocrinoL

An in-situ continuous infusion technique was used to study the biogenesis of androgens and cortisol in the guinea-pig adrenal gland after the infusion of 3H- and 14C-labelled precursors of these compounds. Pregnenolone was converted to 17\g=a\-hydroxypregnenolone,progesterone, 17\g=a\-hydroxypro-gesterone and cortisol. The results of infusion of a combined dose of [3H]17\g=a\\x=req-\ hydroxypregnenolone and [14C]progesterone indicated that the major path-way to cortisol is via 17\g=a\-hydroxypregnenolone.No conclusive proof could be obtained regarding synthesis of dehydroepiandrosterone or androst-4\x=req-\ ene-3,17-dione. The only androgen detected in the guinea-pig adrenal venous blood was 11\g=b\-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione. The major and minor biosynthetic pathways involved in the synthesis of these hormones are discussed