STUDIES ON THE URINARY EXCRETION OF 17-KETOSTEROIDS BY THE DOMESTIC PIG.

Abstract

Urines from normal and gonadectomized male and female pigs were analyzed for 17-ketosteroids. Dehydroiosandrosterone, isoandrosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone, 11-ketoetiocholanolone, 11/3-hydroxy - androsterone and 11β-hydroxyetiocholanolone were isolated from normal boar urine. The level of excretion of the ll-desoxy-17-ketosteroids by the intact boar is higher than that of other species thus far reported. The three ll-oxy-17-ketosteroids were found in the urine of castrated boars and ovariectomized sows. No 17-ketosteroids were found in the urine from normal sows. Androsterone, 11β- hydroxyandrosterone and 11β-hydroxyetiocholanolone were isolated from the urine of pregnant sows. HCG administration resulted in a large increase, while ACTH administration led to a decrease in the daily excretion of the urinary ll-desoxy-17-ketosteroids. From the evidence obtained it was concluded that in the boar the precursors of the ll-desoxy- 17-ketosteroids are elaborated by the testes, and that dehydroisoandros...