Sulphate-conjugated neutral steroids in the intestinal contents of early and mid-term human foetuses (14–20 weeks of gestation) were investigated by gas—liquid chromatography and gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. Twenty-four neutral steroids were found in the monosulphate fraction and 21 in the disulphate fraction. The total concentration of these steroids varied between 9·6 and 15·3 mg/100 g meconium wet weight, about half being monosulphates and half disulphates. Steroids with a 3β-hydroxy-5-ene structure were found and also saturated steroids which carried hydroxyl groups at carbons 3, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21. Among them were steroids not previously detected in human foetal compartments. Thus, the foetal meconium is both qualitatively and quantitatively the richest foetal source of neutral steroid sulphates so far investigated.
The present results together with those reported in the literature show that in the course of pregnancy there is a many-fold increase in the steroid concentration of the foetal intestinal contents. This is most obvious in the case of saturated C19 steroids and polar pregnane derivatives. Reduction of the 20-ones to 20β-ols seems to be more extensive towards the end of pregnancy. 5, 16-Pregnadienes and 3β-hydroxy-5β-pregnanes are present in higher concentrations in early pregnancy.
Journal of Endocrinology is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| PDF Downloads | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Online ISSN: 1479-6805
Print ISSN: 0022-0795
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519
