Human sex hormones in plants

Researchers have brought rigorous evidence that progesterone, a mammalian steroid hormone is found in a plant. Although there were some plants that hinted at the presence of progesterone, such as the Mexican Yam, Guido F.Pauli of the University of Illiniois, Chicago proved more rigidly that progesterone is found in plants by studying walnut tree leaves. They also found a novel sulfates of progesterone-like compounds in another plants. Progesterone supports pregnancy, regulates menstruation, and tempers the estrogen for humans, but Pauli is not sure what role progesterone has to plants. David S. Seigler, however says that this research had major contribution to the knowledge of plant secondary metabolite biosynthesis.
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/88/i06/8806notw9.html


Posted by Jasmine Hwang