11 beta-Hydroxylase with affinity to C-21-Deoxysteroids from ovaries of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

When ovarian mitochondria from a patient with polycystic ovary syndrome (POS) were incubated with [7-3H]17alpha-hydroxypregnenolone and [4-14C]17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 11beta-hydroxylated metabolites were obtained. When the same mitochondrial preparation was incubated with [7-3H]17alpha-hydroxypregnenolone and [4-14C]11-deoxycortisol no 11beta-hydroxylated derivatives of 11-deoxycortisol were found. These results are compatible with and support the conclusion that the ovary of POS patients who excrete pregnanetriolone contains an 11beta-hydroxylase capable of hydroxylating C-21-deoxysteroids but not C-21-hydroxysteroids.