Species differences in biotransformation of 17 alpha-cyanomethylestradiol 3-methyl ether

Following oral administration of 9,11-3H-17 alpha-cyanomethylestra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17-diol 3-methyl ether, urinary metabolites were studied in man, baboon, beagle dog, minipig and rat. The metabolite pattern revealed remarkable species differences, especially in quantitative respects. 17 alpha-Cyanomethylestra-1,3,5(10)triene-3,17-diol, 17 alpha-cyanomethylestra-1,3,5(10)-triene-2,3,17-triol 2-methyl ether, 17 alpha-hydroxymethylestra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17-diol and 17 alpha-cyanomethylestra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,16 xi, 17-triol were isolated as principal metabolites. In rat bile, a metabolite was tentatively identified as a gamma-lactone of a 17 alpha-carboxymethyl-16 alpha-hydroxy compound.