PROGESTATIONAL ACTIVITY OF STEREOISOMERIC PROGESTERONE-ANALOGUES FOLLOWING ORAL ADMINISTRATION IN AMENORRHOEA

Abstract

A stereo-isomeric analogue of progesterone, 9[beta], 10[alpha]-pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (retro-progesterone) and a 6-dehydro derivative, 9B, 10[alpha]-pregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione (6-dehydro-retro-progesterone) were studied for their progestational activity in 26 artificial cycles induced in 17 amenorrhoic women. It was found that 6-dehydro-retro-progesterone is a highly potent orally active progestational agent in the human subject. Daily doses of 10 mg of this compound given orally for 10 days induced a definite secretory transformation of the endometrium. The histological appearance of the endometrium following treatment with this compound could not be distinguished from that seen in normal cycles. Both compounds studied were excellently tolerated; no toxic side-effects were observed.