Steroid metabolism in vitro by the adrenal cortex from male and female monkeys, Macca mulatta.

-1 . Biosynthesis of steroid hormones from radioactive progesterone, 17c~-hydroxyprogesterone, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione and testosterone by the adrenals of male and female Rhesus monkeys was studied. 2. On a comparative basis the adrenals from the female monkeys yielded a higher ratio of estrogens to androst-4-ene-3,17-dione and/or testosterone among the biosynthetic products. 3. Probably due to the common embryologic origin, the sex chromatin constitution ( X X , or XY) reflected is not only in gonadal but also in adrenocortical enzyme activities. 4. Following gonadectomy, decreased sex difference in the biosynthetic activities of the adrenals was observed.