THE IN VIVO METABOLISM OF CORTISOL AND CORTICOSTERONE BY THE MACAQUE MONKEY (Macaca fascicularis)

Abstract

ABSTRACT [4-14C] Cortisol was administered intramuscularly to one adult female macaque monkey, MF3 (Macaca fascicularis). To adult female macaque monkey, MF4, [4-14C]corticosterone was administered intramuscularly. Urine samples were collected and the metabolites excreted identified using gas chromatography, radio-gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The principal metabolites of cortisol were identified as glucuronide conjugates of 11-oxygenated-17-oxosteroids. The excretion of tetrahydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisone relative to the other corticosteroid metabolites was low compared with that of man. Two compounds, 3β-cortol and 3β-cortolone not normally present in human urine were identified in the urine from this species. The principal metabolites of corticosterone were glucuronide conjugates of hexahydroCompound A and hexahydrocorticosterone. Two unidentified radioactive compounds were also present.