THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF ALLOPREGNANE-3β,16α,20β-TRIOL FROM ACETATE-1-C14IN THE PREGNANT MARE

Abstract

THE incorporation of acetate-1-C¹⁴ into estrone, equilin, and equilenin in the pregnant mare has been reported previously (1). The relativelyhigh C¹⁴ content of the non-volatile phenolic non-ketonic fraction of the organic portion of the urine of this acetate-treated mare prompted a search for low molecular weight phenols which might function as intermediates in the anabolism or catabolism of the estrogens. In the course of this attempt, a neutral steroid was encountered and found to be highly radioactive. This proved to be the original “pregnanetriol” of Smith, Hughes, Marrian, and Haslewood (2), the constitution of which was later established by Hirschmann, Hirschmann, and Daus (3) as allopregnane-3β, 16α,20β-triol. Its isolation, identification, and significance are dealt with in the present communication.