Which of the following is the precursor for estradiol formation in the placenta?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the precursor for estradiol formation in the placenta?

Explanation:
The substrate that drives placental production of estradiol mainly comes from the fetus, specifically DHEA-S produced by the fetal adrenal cortex. This DHEA-S crosses into the placenta, where it is desulfated and then converted through a series of steps—via androstenedione and aromatase—to estrone, which is subsequently reduced to estradiol by 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The placenta’s aromatase (CYP19) is the key enzyme that turns androgens into estrogens, so the fetal adrenal product DHEA-S is the primary precursor for placental estradiol formation. Maternal hormones can contribute some estrogen, but they are not the main source for placental estradiol in pregnancy.

The substrate that drives placental production of estradiol mainly comes from the fetus, specifically DHEA-S produced by the fetal adrenal cortex. This DHEA-S crosses into the placenta, where it is desulfated and then converted through a series of steps—via androstenedione and aromatase—to estrone, which is subsequently reduced to estradiol by 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The placenta’s aromatase (CYP19) is the key enzyme that turns androgens into estrogens, so the fetal adrenal product DHEA-S is the primary precursor for placental estradiol formation. Maternal hormones can contribute some estrogen, but they are not the main source for placental estradiol in pregnancy.

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