Electron transport and progesterone biosynthesis in the bovine corpus luteum homogenate

The role of electron transport in progesterone biosynthesis was investigated in bovine corpus luteum homogenate. Although amytal and malonate inhibited progesterone synthesis, rotenone under several different incubation conditions was without effect. On the basis of differences in the effects of amytal and rotenone it is suggested that for the side-chain cleavage of cholesterol, although formation of some high energy intermediate of oxidative phosphorylation is obligatory, the electron shuttle between NAD and flavin is not.