Epitestosterone: Isolation from human urine and experiments on possible precursors

Abstract

The isolation of the 17α-hydroxy epimer of testosterone from human urine is reported. The identity was proved by the absorption spectra in ethanol and in concentrated sulphuric acid and by its mobility and the mobilities of its products of acetylation and oxidation when chromatographed on thin layer, paper and gas-liquid chromatography systems. The evidence suggests that the urinary epi testosterone originates from androstenedione and from some other precursor by a pathway not including the peripheral metabolism of androstenedione.