Steroid Synthesis by Human Fetal Adrenals and Ovaries Maintained in Organ Culture. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Adrenal tissue from an 11-week-old human fetus, maintained in organ culture for 4 to 8 days, converted 7-³H-progesterone to cortisol. Steroid synthesis from endogenous precursors, both with and without added ACTH in the culture medium, could not be demonstrated. The definitive cortex of the adrenal was histologically well maintained for 8 days in culture, while the fetal zone showed evidence of extensive degeneration. Fetal ovarian tissue under the same in vitro conditions, formed 7-³H-20α-hydroxy-Δ⁴-pregnene-3-one. The results demonstrate the capacity for steroid synthesis by adrenal and ovarian tissue from a human fetus maintained in organ culture.

Addendum. While this report has been "in press," Stark et al(10) reported the synthesis of corticosteroids, including cortisol, by adrenal glands from human fetuses, 18–36 cm body length, maintained in organ culture for 25 days or less. Corticosteroid synthesis was maximal during the 3rd to 8th day of culture, and was stimulated by ACTH.