In-Vitro Steroidogenesis by an Undifferentiated Embryonal Cell Sarcoma of the Ovary

Abstract

Tritiated pregnenolone, 17\g=a\-hydroxypregnenolone,progesterone, 17\ g=a\ \ x=r eq-\ hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone and androstenedione were incubated separately with homogenates from an undifferentiated embryonal cell sarcoma obtained from an 11-yr.-old girl.[3H]Pregnenolone and [ 3H] 17\ g=a\ \ x=req-\ hydroxypregnenolone were converted to [3H]oestradiol-17\g=b\ in larger proportion than [3H]progesterone and [3H]17\g=a\-hydroxyprogesterone. The steroidogenesis in the sarcoma was very similar to that reported for the theca cells of the human ovarian follicle.