The metabolic reduction of progesterone to allopregnane-3α:20α-diol in human subjects

Abstract

AlloPregnane-3 [alpha] :20 [alpha]-diol has been isolated from the urine of one postmenopausal woman and one rheumatoid arthritic man collected during treatment with progesterone. The weights of allopregnane-3 [alpha] :20 [alpha]-diol isolated corresponded in each case to about 0.3% of the amount of progesterone administered. No trace of allopregnane- 3 [alpha] :20 [alpha]-diol could be detected in control urines collected from the same patients, and accordingly it is concluded that the allopregnane-3 [alpha] :20 [alpha]-diol isolated after progesterone admn. is similar to that found in the urine of pregnant women (Kyle and Marrian, 1951).