PREGNANE-2α,17α,20α-TRIOL, PREGNANE-3α,17α,20α-TRIOL, AND RELATED STEROIDS

Abstract

ABSTRACT The occurrence, metabolic formation, estimation and significance of the urinary steroids 5β-pregnane-3α,17α,20α-triol, pregn-5-ene-3β,17α,20α-triol, 5β-pregnane-3α,17α,20α-triol-11-one and 5β-pregnane-3α,1 1β,17α,20α-tetrol is reviewed. The isolation from and estimation in urine of these 17,20-dihydroxy-20-methyl steroids and some of their epimers is detailed. The significance of the estimation of this group of steroids, especially of pregnanetriolone and pregnanetriol, in the study and diagnosis of adrenal hyperplasia and adrenal tumours derives from their being formed only from 21-deoxy intermediates in cortisol biosynthesis. The main pathways of metabolic formation of the compounds are correlated from published work. A number of methods suitable for urinary estimation at the microgram level of various members of the group of steroids are noted and discussed.