THE INITIAL METABOLISM OF 4-14C-TESTOSTERONE IN RAT. III.

Abstract
Testosterone metabolites in the liver of male rats were investigated 5, 10, 20 and 30 minutes after the intraperitoneal injection of 4-C14-testosterone. At all 4 intervals, testosterone metabolites were found in the free and conjugated forms. The highest activity in the free and conjugated metabolites was after 10 minutes. A change in the pattern of the metabolites with time is observed. 5[beta]-androstan-3[alpha], 17[beta]-diol seems to be the major initial testosterone metabolite. 5[beta]-androstan-3[alpha]-ol-17-one and an unidentified weakly polar compound are secondary conversion products of testosterone. More than 99% of strong polar metabolites were conjugated 5[beta]-androstan-3[alpha],17[beta]-diol. A new pathway of testosterone metabolism in the liver of the male rat is suggested.