Metabolism of 17 beta-hydroxy-2alpha, 3alpha-cyclopropano-5alpha-androstane in the rabbit

The neutral urinary excretion products of 17beta-hydroxy-2alpha, 3alpha-cyclopropano-5alpha-androstane from the rabbit, dosed orally, were investigated. Column chromatography yielded five crystalline metabolites which were identified by GLC and spectroscopic measurements. Three of these substances were hydroxylated in the 4alpha-position and one in the 6alpha-position with the cyclopropane ring intact. The fifth substance, 17beta-hydroxy-3beta-methyl-5alpha-androstan-2-one, can be derived from initial hydroxylation of the cyclopropane ring at C-2 followed by ring opening. The dosed substance and triol material was shown to be present by GLC and m.s. measurements. GLC determinations show that hydroxylation has occurred at C-4-C-6-C-2.