IDENTIFICATION OF STEROIDS PRODUCED BY BOVINE CHORION INCUBATED WITH [14C]ANDROSTENEDIONE

Individual chorion taken from cows in early pregnancy (days 27, 44, 45 and 49) was incubated with [14C]androstenedione in short-term incubation in vitro. After preliminary extraction, separation and purification, metabolites were identified by recrystallization with authentic unlabelled steroids to constant specific activity. Major metabolites identified were 5β-androstane-3,17-dione (5β-androstanedione) and 5β-androstan-3α-ol-17-one (aetiocholanolone) while minor metabolites were identified as 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol and 5β-androstan-17α-ol-3-one. There was no 14C-labelled oestradiol or oestrone detectable in the medium either as free oestrogens or as sulphates.