Identification of 16‐dehydropregnenolone as an intermediate in 16‐androstene biosynthesis in neonatal porcine testicular microsomes

摘要

>The biosynthesis of 16-androstenes has been studied in neonatal porcine testicular microsomes using 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 16-dehydropregnenolone, separately, as substrates. The metabolites formed after microsomal incubation with these substrates were purified, derivatized as O-methyloxime-trimethylsilyl ethers and analysed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In the incubation of 17-hydroxy-pregnenolone with microsomes, 16-dehydropregnenolone was identified as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of 16-androstenes. Further microsomal incubation of 16-dehydropregnenolone has established the intermediary role of this steroid in the production of 16-androstenes.