Studies on Metabolism of 3-Deoxysteroids. VI. Isolation and Characterization of Urinary Metabolites of 3-Deoxydehydroepiandrosterone in Rabbit

Abstract

The metabolic fate of 3-deoxydehydroepiandrosterone (DDHA) in rabbit has been investigated. After oral administration of the steroid, six main metabolites (A-F) were separated from the collected urine specimen. The structures of these biotransformation products could be characterized either by direct comparison with the authentic sample or by leading to the known compound, respectively. The biochemical significance of in vivo transformation of C₁₉ steroid lacking an oxygen function at C-3 has been discussed.