ABSTRACT
The metabolism of [4-14C] progesterone in human adult and foetal skin was investigated in vitro under identical experimental conditions.
5α-Pregnanedione and 20α-dihydroprogesterone were isolated and identified in all the experiments. In addition 3β-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one, 6β-hydroxyprogesterone and tentatively 6β-hydroxy-20α-dihydroprogesterone could be identified in the experiments with foetal skin.
5α-Reductase was shown to be most active in both foetal and adult skin. 5β-saturated products were not detectable. These experiments demonstrate a significant capability of foetal skin in the metabolism of progesterone.
270 Phenotypic plasticity of melanocytes derived from human adult skin
