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Steroidogenic enzyme expression within the adrenal cortex during early human gestation

Steroidogenic enzyme expression within the adrenal cortex during early human gestation
Steroidogenic enzyme expression within the adrenal cortex during early human gestation
Aberrant adrenocortical function during the first trimester of human fetal development underlies the severe virilization of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to cytochrome P450 21-hydroxylase (CYP21) deficiency. Although valuable information of human adrenocortical development after 12 weeks gestation is available, less is known earlier in pregnancy. In our studies, the adrenal cortex was first detected in human embryos by hematoxylin and eosin staining at 33 days post-conception (dpc) with distinction between the definitive and fetal zones possible at 52?dpc. Vascular development was apparent within the adrenal gland at 41?dpc. CYP11A and CYP17 were expressed centrally within the fetal zone at 50?dpc and all later time points during the first trimester. Weaker CYP11A immunoreactivity also was visible in the outer region of the adrenal cortex consistent with definitive zone expression. In this location, immunoreactivity was observed for 3?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and the proliferation marker, Ki67. These data raise the possibility of de novo cortisol biosynthesis during the first trimester of human development and are relevant to the pathophysiology of 46,XX virilization in CYP21 deficiency.
0743-5800
641-645
Goto, M.
9962996f-198e-4a82-bf8a-0858e1bec7c0
Brickwood, S.
b11affc9-7fc8-4e45-8529-c39766afb522
Wilson, D.I.
1500fca1-7082-4271-95f4-691f1d1252a2
Wood, P.J.
f0dfe718-fa0f-43b1-9b2d-4bdc9c41320a
Mason, J.I.
abe93299-7d3d-43b8-ac45-a4eee3e92a2e
Hanley, N.A.
ac5bcdcc-51dd-4f2c-ad06-fef6c1d50ebd
Goto, M.
9962996f-198e-4a82-bf8a-0858e1bec7c0
Brickwood, S.
b11affc9-7fc8-4e45-8529-c39766afb522
Wilson, D.I.
1500fca1-7082-4271-95f4-691f1d1252a2
Wood, P.J.
f0dfe718-fa0f-43b1-9b2d-4bdc9c41320a
Mason, J.I.
abe93299-7d3d-43b8-ac45-a4eee3e92a2e
Hanley, N.A.
ac5bcdcc-51dd-4f2c-ad06-fef6c1d50ebd

Goto, M., Brickwood, S., Wilson, D.I., Wood, P.J., Mason, J.I. and Hanley, N.A. (2002) Steroidogenic enzyme expression within the adrenal cortex during early human gestation. Endocrine Research, 28 (4), 641-645.

Record type: Article

Abstract

Aberrant adrenocortical function during the first trimester of human fetal development underlies the severe virilization of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to cytochrome P450 21-hydroxylase (CYP21) deficiency. Although valuable information of human adrenocortical development after 12 weeks gestation is available, less is known earlier in pregnancy. In our studies, the adrenal cortex was first detected in human embryos by hematoxylin and eosin staining at 33 days post-conception (dpc) with distinction between the definitive and fetal zones possible at 52?dpc. Vascular development was apparent within the adrenal gland at 41?dpc. CYP11A and CYP17 were expressed centrally within the fetal zone at 50?dpc and all later time points during the first trimester. Weaker CYP11A immunoreactivity also was visible in the outer region of the adrenal cortex consistent with definitive zone expression. In this location, immunoreactivity was observed for 3?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and the proliferation marker, Ki67. These data raise the possibility of de novo cortisol biosynthesis during the first trimester of human development and are relevant to the pathophysiology of 46,XX virilization in CYP21 deficiency.

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Published date: 2002

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 24719
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/24719
ISSN: 0743-5800
PURE UUID: aa7fda6d-cd3d-4f93-9a49-e890e331b838

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Date deposited: 03 Apr 2006
Last modified: 08 Jan 2022 12:52

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Contributors

Author: M. Goto
Author: S. Brickwood
Author: D.I. Wilson
Author: P.J. Wood
Author: J.I. Mason
Author: N.A. Hanley

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