STEROID HORMONES 



represents 30% of the administered hormone. From chimpanzees 

 receiving testosterone proprionate orally, Fish and Dorfman obtained 

 in the urine androsterone, androsten-17-one, and etiocholan-3-ol-17- 

 one. 



Dorfman and Hamilton (2), on the basis of products isolated 

 from urine following administration of various precursors, have sug- 

 gested the mechanism of scheme II for the conversion of testosterone 

 to androsterone. It should be noted, however, that this scheme does 

 not exclude other degradation products which may be produced in 



o= 



OH 



i 



Scheme ii 



O 



II 



/X!/\ 



- 2 H 



Vv/ 



o= 



+ 2H 



V 



. o=J 



OH 



O-d 



+ 2H 



/\ 



HO.. 



OH 

 /X 



o 



/X 



+ 2 H 



/\ 



HO. 



H 



H 



Androsterone 



313 



