Female Hormone Found in Plants Walnuts

Scientists have discovered a female hormone called progesterone on walnut plants. This finding was surprising because it clarifies the differences that had been there in plants and animals. Because, until now scientists have thought only animals that can produce progesterone. The hormone progesterone has a function to prepare the uterus during pregnancy face and keep it. Synthetic versions of this hormone, the progestin, is generally used for pregnancy control pills and other medications.

Guido F Pauli and her team from the American Chemical Society's Journal of Natural Products mentioned the meaning of a definite identification of progesterone can not be overstated. "Biological role of progesterone in mammals has been studied extensively. But in plants, the reason for the presence of this hormone is still not clear," said Pauli.

The team members then speculated that these hormones, just like other steroid hormones, the possibility of an ancient bioregulator evolved billions of years ago, before the emergence of modern plants and animals. The new discovery which is the next generation to scientific understanding of the evolution and function of progesterone in living organisms.

Previously, scientists identified the progesterone-like compounds found in plants and speculated that hormones may present itself in plants. Pauli in his study used two laboratory techniques, namely nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy to detect progesterone in the leaves of walnut trees.