Steroid Production In Vitro by Normal and Adrenal Tumor-Bearing Male Mice

Abstract

Steroid synthesis in vitro by normal adrenals and transplanted corticoid-secreting adrenal tumors of mice was studied by tissue-slice incubation methods. Corticosterone was the major steroid produced by normal adrenal tissue, with 11β-hydroxy-Δ⁴-androstene-3,17-dione as a minor product. Adrenal-tumor slices synthesized several steroids, including corticosterone and 11β-hydroxy-Δ⁴-androstene-3,17-dione as the major products. After transplantation in successive hosts, corticosterone synthesis decreased, while that of 11β-hydroxy-Δ⁴-androstene-3,17-dione increased slightly, and an unidentified compound (VI) was produced in increasing quantities. Steroid formation by adrenal-tumor tissue was less efficient than by normal adrenals. In the course of successive transplantations, responsiveness to corticotropin (ACTH) was decreased and 21-hydroxylation was markedly reduced, but there was little change in 11β-hydroxylation.