Adrenal cortical function in birds. The in vitro transformation of sodium acetate-1- 14C and cholesterol-4- 14C by adrenal gland preparations of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos) and the goose (Anser anser)

Abstract

The in vitro incorporation of sodium acetate-l- 14C and cholesterol-4 14C into corticosteroids by duck adrenal preparations and the incorporation of sodium acetate-l- 14C into corticosteroids by goose adrenal slices was investigated. Labelled sodium acetate gave rise to 14C-labelled cholesterol, corticosterone (11β,21-dihydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione), aldosterone (11β,21-dinydroxy-3,20-dioxo-pregn-4-ene-18-al-18-11-hemiacetal), and 18-hydroxycorticosterone (11β,18, 21-trihydroxy-3,20-dioxo-pregn-4-ene-20-18-cyclic hemiketal). In both duck and goose adrenals. Duck adrenal slices did not incorporate cholesterol-4- 14C or cholesteryl-4- 14C-linoleate or cholesteryl-4- 14C-oleate. However, a fortified homogenate of duck adrenals transformed cholesterol-4- 14C partially to corticosterone.