Steroid metabolism in rat submaxillary glands

The ability of rat submaxillary gland to metabolize C21 steroids was studied by culturing explants with labeled progesterone, pregnenolone and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. The metabolites isolated were identified by paper chromatography, thin layer chromatography and combined gas liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The radiochemical purity of certain metabolites was confirmed by recrystallization to constant specific activity. The capability of this gland to reduce C21 steroids was confirmed with the isolation of 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one and 5 alpha-pregnane-3 alpha, 20 beta-diol. The presence of delta 5, 3 beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase was shown by the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone. Only in the incubations with 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone a compound with a molecular weight 290 was detected.