THE HORMONES IN HUMAN REPRODUCTION 



Progesterone, as will be seen from the following formula, has 



a double bond in the first ring, and two atoms of oxygen at 



positions 3 and 20 respectively. It is therefore 3, 20 diketo- 



pregnene : 



CH3 



0<^ 



PROGESTERONE 



Its excretion product in the human body, pregnanediol, can 

 be derived from this formula by the addition of 6 atoms of 

 hydrogen; that is, the 2 ketonic atoms are replaced by 

 hydroxyl groups, the extra bonds at these points being satis- 

 fied by one hydrogen each, and the two unsaturated carbons 

 are saturated: 



CH, 



CHOH 



PREGNANEDIOL 

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