Metabolism of 17α-methyl-5β-dihydrotestosterone in the rabbit

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0039-128X(83)90089-2

17α-Methyl-5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol together with the hydroxylated metabolites 17α-methyl-5β-androstane-1β,3α,17β-triol, 17α-methyl-5β-androstane-3α,12β,17β-triol, 17α-methyl-5β-androstane-3α,16α,17β-triol and 17α-methyl-5β-androstane-3α,16β,17β-triol were isolated and identified in the urine of rabbits orally dosed with 17α-methyl-5β-dihydrotestosterone. Biotransformations differ from the 5α-series where hydroxylation occurred at C-6 and C-15. In both series, the C-3 equatorial epimer was the major urinary excretion product among the non-hydroxylated metabolites. The 5β-compound was more resistant to metabolic hydroxylation than the 5α-compound. No evidence for epimerization at the C-17 position was observed.