Perspectives in steroid hydroxylase gene expression: novel sites of expression during embryonic development.

CYP17 is not expressed in adult mouse adrenal glands but is expressed in a subset of fetal adrenocortical cells, indicating the potential to produce both corticosterone and cortisol during murine embryogenesis. CYP11A is expressed in the fetal adrenal but also in developing hindgut, which will form the colon, and in cells located beneath the skin of the embryo. Novel sites of expression of CYP17 and CYP11A in the mouse embryo suggest potential physiological roles for local production of steroids in diverse organs systems during development.