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Adrenal tissue, largely composed of the definitive zone, from a newborn anencephalic infant, contained the following enzyme systems: (1) a ⁵-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase for pregnenolone, demonstrated by the conversion of [¹⁴C]pregnenolone to [¹⁴C]progesterone; (2) a C₍₁₇₎-C₍₂₀₎ desmolase, and (3) a steroid 16-hydroxylase, demonstrated by the conversion of [¹⁴C]pregnenolone to [¹⁴C]3β, 16-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one.

The metabolites could not be separated from carrier steroids during sequential partition chromatography. [¹⁴C]Progesterone was identified by recrystallization to constant specific activity. [¹⁴C]3β, 16-Dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one was identified by enzymatic conversion to [¹⁴C]16-hydroxyoestrone followed by reduction to oestriol and determination of the specific activity of the oestriol after partition chromatography.

It is suggested that these enzymes may play some part in the production of cortisol by the newborn anencephalic infant, and in the provision of precursors for placental oestriol production.