6-KETOPROGESTERONE AND ITS BIOLOGICAL ACTION

Abstract

1) 6-Ketoprogesterone (6 kp) can not demonstrate the progestin effects by Hooker-Forbes' method.
2) 6Kp has little androgenic and estrogenic action.
3) 6Kp has myotrophic (anabolic) action almost as strong as progesterone.
4) 6Kp has the hypertrophic action on the preputial gland which is almost equivalent to that of 17 (α)-hydroxyprogesterone, 17 (α)-methyl-Δ⁵-androstene-3 (β)-17 (β)-diol.
5) 6Kp (large dose), has depressant effect on the central nervous system, resembling progesterone in variation with sex and lack of excitation at the induction of anesthesia, displays one-sixth to one-seventh of its potency.
6) The spinal reflex is accelerated by 6kp similar to progesterone.
7) 6kp has little influence on blood pressure.
8) The steroid, which is produced in the placenta and which has myotrophic, anabolic action and hypertrophic effect on the preputial gland without androgenic action, is possibly 6kp or its related compound.
9) The vaginal smear cycle in the rat is under the control of estrogen and progesterone.