Metabolism of Progesterone by the Nasal Mucosa in Mice and Rats

Abstract: The metabolism of 4-¹⁴C-progesterone by the nasal mucosa and lung from mice and rats was investigated in vitro. Using thin-layer radiochromatography at least 10 and 7, yet unidentified, metabolites were found at incubation with slices from the nasal mucosa and lung, respectively. The results further indicated that the rate of progesterone metabolism was higher in the nasal mucosa than in the lung. Autoradiography of lung slices incubated with ¹⁴C-progesterone showed that a selective localization of radioactivity occurred in the bronchial mucosa.