Effects of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Upon Steroid Aromatization in Vitro ∗

Abstract

Summary

Steroids labeled with ³H in positions 1 and 2 were incubated with rat ovary slices, and the formation of tritiated water determined. During three hr at 37°, approximately 3.5, 10.0, and 15% of the total tritium present in progesterone-1,2-³H, androstenedione-1,2-³H, and testosterone-1,2-³H respectively was converted to ³H₂O by 100 mg of tissue. The addition of FSH had no effect upon the aromatization of any of the substrates tested, although one of the preparations tested contained a contaminant that significantly inhibited the aromatization of androstenedione.