Inhibition of sterol biosynthesis by 14 alpha-hydroxy-delta 7-sterols

5 alpha-Cholest-7-en-3 beta, 14 alpha-diol and 5 alpha-cholest-7-en-14 alpha-ol-3-one have been found to be potent inhibitors of the synthesis of digitonin-precipitable sterols in L cells in culture and to reduce the levels of HMG-CoA reductase activity in these cells.