Corticosteroid Production in vitro by the Interrenal Tissue of Killifish,Fundulus heteroclitus (Linn). ∗

Abstract

Conclusions

With the above reservations in mind, the following tentative conclusions can be drawn. 1. It seems probable that cortisol, in plasma obtained from Fundulus heteroclitus, is synthesized by interrenal tissue of head kidney. 2. Production of cortisol and probably cortisone by both left and right head kidneys suggests that interrenal tissue is present in both, although in lesser amounts on the left. If this is so, no explanation can be given at present for slightly larger amounts of aldosterone produced by left head kidneys. 3. Interrenal tissue of Fundulus possesses enzyme systems, capable of converting progesterone-16-H³ to tritiated cortisol, cortisone, and aldosterone through biosynthetic pathways not known.