Sulphation as a metabolic pathway for oestradiol in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus

1. Aerobic incubation of [(14)C]oestradiol, in the presence of surviving gut tissue of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus, or a soluble enzyme system prepared therefrom, resulted in rapid formation of a water-soluble metabolite, identified as oestradiol 3-sulphate. 2. No evidence was obtained for the formation of other metabolic derivatives by the urchin-gut enzymes, or for the presence of the sulphating capacity in any other tissues of the organism under the conditions used. 3. The data are consistent with the possibility that oestradiol, previously detected in the gonads, is synthesized therein and excreted in a conjugated, highly water-soluble form via the gut.