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The unusual morphology of the Andromeda galaxy (Messier 31, the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way) has long been an enigma. Although regarded for decades as showing little evidence of a violent history, M31 has a well-known outer ring of star formation at a radius of ten kiloparsecs whose centre is offset from the galaxy nucleus. In addition, the outer galaxy disk is warped, as seen at both optical and radio wavelengths. The halo contains numerous loops and ripples. Here we report the presence of a second, inner dust ring with projected dimensions of 1.5 x 1 kiloparsecs and offset by about half a kiloparsec from the centre of the galaxy (based upon an analysis of previously-obtained data). The two rings appear to be density waves propagating in the disk. Numerical simulations indicate that both rings result from a companion galaxy plunging through the centre of the disk of M31. The most likely interloper is M32. Head-on collisions between galaxies are rare, but it appears nonetheless that one took place 210 million years ago in our Local Group of galaxies.

The specific activity of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase (17-HOR) with estradiol-17 beta (E2), estrone (E1) and testosterone (T), as well as that of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) were measured in homogenates of CF-1 mouse placenta during the latter half of pregnancy. 17-HOR activity with E2 and T increased over 100-fold between days 9 and 12, and 3- to 4-fold between days 15 and 19, with no further change to day 21. In contrast, activity with E1 increased 39-fold between days 9 and 12, 3.8-fold between days 15 and 19 but then decreased between days 19 and 21. The E2/T activity ratio was constant while the E2/E1 ratio increased between days 9 and 21. LDH increased 2-fold between days 9 and 12 with no further increase to day 19. MDH was constant from day 9 to 19. Activity with E2 was inhibited by T, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) and DHA but not by E1, androstenedione (A) or 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone. Activity with T was inhibited by E2, 5 alpha-DHT and DHA, but not by A. In contrast, activity with E1 was inhibited by A and DHA but not by E2, T or 5 alpha-DHT. The results suggest placental 17-HOR is developmentally regulated. Although the results are also suggestive of multiple forms of 17-HOR, a single enzyme with an ordered kinetic mechanism cannot be ruled out.

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