Sources of Progesterone

Wild yam contains the compound diosgenin, commonly and mistakenly promoted as a natural source of progesterone. Diosgenin has been used as a precursor for the synthesis of progesterone, but the transformation required to form progesterone does not occur in the human body (Dentali 1996). 

Buckley, 1., Willingham, E., Agras, K., and Baskin, L. (2006). Embryonic exposure to the fungicide vinclozolin causes virUization of females and alteration of progesterone receptor expression in vivo an experimental study in mice. Environmental Health A Global Access Science Source 5,4. 

The ceUular source of the various ovarian steroids has been difficult to unravel, but a transfer of substrates between two cell types is involved. Theca cells are the source of androstenedione and testosterone. These are converted by the aromatase enzyme in granulosa cells to estrone and estradiol, respectively. Progesterone, a precursor for all steroid hormones, is produced and secreted by the corpus luteum as an end-product hormone because these cells do not contain the enzymes necessary to convert progesterone ro other steroid hormones (Figure 42-8). 

In every case the information provided has been obtained by collating public domain sources of information, but unfortunately very often little data is available, particularly on commercial aspects, even for products that have proved to be big successes. Thus microbial biotransformations for steroid modification, particularly stereoselective hydroxylations, such as the use of Rhizopus arrhizus to convert progesterone into antiinflammatory and other dmgs via 11- -hydroxyprogestrone, have proved to be very successful. However, comparatively little useful information exists from public domain sources, despite (or perhaps because) a market of hundreds of millions /a exists for such microbially transformed steroids (cortisone, aldosterone, prednisolone and prednisone etc.) produced by microbial hydroxylation and dehydrogenation reactions coupled with complimentary chemical steps. 

Ox bile, which contains cholic acid as its principal constituent, provided one of the earliest mammalian sources of steroid raw materials for the commercial manufacture of the androgens. In nature, cholesterol itself is the mammalian precursor of the androgens, the biosynthesis passing through progesterone (XII). 

In the 1930s research on the isolation of progesterone, a steroid and hormone, from natural sources led to synthetic pathways for their manufacture. Research led to the development of steroids used as contraceptives. Others were developed as anti-inflammatory steroids. Other steroids have been developed to treat breast cancer and another for prostate cancer. 

The liver is the most important area for (he production of cholesterol and bile acids. The ovaries are the most important sources of estrogen and progesterone (progesterone is produced in the corpus luteum of the ovary). The testes are the major site of androgen production, testosterone especially. The adrenal cortex produces the mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, and the androgens dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione. 

With the increasing interest in natural source antioxidants, such as tocopherols, and the use of both stigmasterol and (3-sitosterol as raw materials for the production of progesterone and esterone by the pharmaceutical industry, it is likely that deodorizer distillates will continue to be an important by-product for some vegetable oil processors. 

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