Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026

A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Published on: October 2, 2018
Effect of endogenous steroid hormones on 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate metabolism
Courtney D Cuppett1, Yang Zhao, Steve Caritis
1Magee-Womens Hospital, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Objective:
Plasma concentrations of 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) vary substantially in pregnant patients who receive an identical dose. Endogenous steroid hormones may alter 17-OHPC metabolism, which contributes to this large variability.
Study Design:
Pooled human liver microsomes were incubated with 17-OHPC alone or in combination with progesterone, hydroxyprogesterone, estrone, estradiol, or estriol. High-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection was used to quantify 17-OHPC.
Results:
Under the conditions that were studied, 17-OHPC metabolism was inhibited by 37% by a combination of endogenous steroid hormones. Progesterone alone significantly inhibited 17-OHPC metabolism by 28% (P < .001).
Conclusion:
17-OHPC metabolism is inhibited significantly by endogenous steroids and, in particular, progesterone. This effect may account for some of the large variation in plasma 17-OHPC concentrations that is seen in pregnant patients who receive a fixed dose of medication.
More Related Videos
07:03A Modified Co-Culture System for Understanding Granulosa-Theca Cell Interactions in the Bovine Ovary
Published on: September 19, 2025
06:18An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Drug Metabolism: Phase II Reactions
Factors Affecting Drug Biotransformation: Biological
Species differences: Variations in enzyme systems across species can cause disparities in drug metabolism. For instance, humans may metabolize certain drugs faster than rodents, altering therapeutic effects.
Strain differences: Genetic variations within a species can result in differing enzyme activity, impacting drug response and toxicity. For example, some mouse strains may...
Target Cell Response to Hormones
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology
Prodrugs
Prodrugs help overcome...
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction