Danazol inhibition of steroidogenesis in the human corpus luteum

Abstract

In human corpus luteum (CL) microsomes, danazol inhibited 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17,20-lyase, 17 alpha-hydroxylase, and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes. Danazol did not inhibit aromatase. The observation that danazol can directly inhibit multiple enzymes of CL steroidogenesis may provide a molecular basis for explaining previous reports that danazol inhibits CL steroidogenesis in the monkey in vivo.