Biotransformations of steroid compounds by Chaetomium sp. KCH 6651

Biotransformations of steroid compounds: androstenedione, testosterone, progesterone, pregnenolone and DHEA using Chaetomium sp. 1 KCH 6651 strain as a biocatalyst were investigated. The microorganism proved capable of selective hydroxylation of the steroid substrates. Androstenedione was converted to 14α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (in over 75% yield) and 6β-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (in low yield), while testosterone underwent regioselective hydroxylation at 6β position. Progesterone was transformed to a single product—6β,14α-dihydroxypregnan-4-en-3,20-dione in high yield, whereas biotransformation of DHEA resulted in the formation of 7α-hydroxy derivative, which was subsequently converted to 7α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione.     

The facile bioconversion of testosterone by alginate-immobilised filamentous fungi

The potential for biotransformation of the substrate 17β-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (testosterone) by six filamentous fungi, namely, Rhizopus oryzae ATCC 11145, Mucor plumbeus ATCC 4740, Cunninghamella echinulata var. elegans ATCC 8688a, Aspergillus niger ATCC 9142, Phanerochaete chrysosporium ATCC 24725 and Whetzelinia sclerotiorum ATCC 18687, was investigated. In this study both free cells and macerated mycelia immobilised in calcium alginate were utilised and the results (products, % yields, % transformation) were compared. In general the encapsulated cells of the microorganisms effectively generated products similar to those found using free cells. However, with immobilised macerated mycelia, isolation of the transformation products was expedited by the simple work up procedure, and their purification was facilitated by the absence of fungal secondary metabolites. Twenty seven analogues of testosterone were generated, wherein the androstane skeleton was functionalised at C-1β, -2β, -6β, -7α, -11α, -14, -15α, -15β and -16β by the moulds. Redox chemistry was also observed. Seven of the analogues, 6β,11α,17β-trihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one, 6β,14α,17β-trihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one, 2,6β-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione, 2β,16β-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione, 2β,6β-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione, 2β,15β,17β-trihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one and 2β,3α,17β-trihydroxyandrost-4-ene, were novel compounds. Five others, namely, 7α,17β-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one, 6β,14α-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione, 15α,17β-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one, 16β,17α-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one and 2β,16β,17β-trihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one, were fully characterised for the first time.     

Transformation of androstane derivatives by Spirodela oligorrhiza

Spirodela oligorrhiza (duckweed) is capable of transforming some steroids of the androstane series. Hydrolysis of the acetates of testosterone and of 3β-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one by this species yielded the corresponding alcohols. Further transformation of testosterone and reduction of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione indicated the interconversions of the hydroxyl-ketone function on C-17 and reduction of the Δ⁴-double bond to the trans-A/B system. Only a trace amount of 3β-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one underwent further transformations.     

Metabolism of progesterone and testosterone by a Bacillus sp.

Microbial transformations by a Bacillus sp. were employed as a means of preparing potentially important derivatives of progesterone and testosterone. Each microbial metabolite was subjected to structure elucidation employing ¹H and ¹³C nmr, mass spectral and cd analysis. Hplc was used for the determination of the percentages of the metabolites formed. The progesterone metabolites were characterised as 14-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (II), 14-hydroxy-5 α -pregnane-3,6,20-trione (III)., 11 α — hydroxy-5 α — pregnane-3, 6,20-trione (IV) and 11 α, 14-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (V). The testosterone analogs were identified as 4-androstene-3,17-dione (VII), 17 β-hydroxy-5 α -androstene-3,6-dione (VIII), 14-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione (IX) and 14, 17 β-dihydroxy-4-androsten -3-one (X)₁. The availability of the metabolites enabled complete elucidation of their ¹³C nmr spectra.     

An analysis of the metabolites of progesterone produced by isolated sertoli cells at the onset of gametogenesis

Sertoli cells isolated from 17 day old rats were maintained in culture and incubated with [¹⁴C]-progesterone for 20 h. The cells and media were extracted with ether/chloroform and the extracts chromatographed two-dimensionally on TLC and the radioactive metabolites visualized by autoradiography. Nine of the metabolites (constituting about 88% of total metabolite radioactivity) were identified by relative mobilities of the compounds and their derivatives in TLC and GC systems and by recrystallizations with authentic steroids as the following: 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one, 5α-pregnane3α,20α-diol, 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one, 5α-pregnane-3,20-dione, 17-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, testosterone, 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione. Over 71% of the metabolite radioactivity was due to 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, the major metabolite. 5α-reduced pregnanes constituted about 12% and C₁₉ steroids comprised about 2.9% of the radioactivity of the metabolites. Calculation of relative steroidogenic enzyme activities from initial reaction rates suggested the following activities in μunits/mg Sertoli cell protein: 20α-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase (20α-HS0; 7.71), 5α-reductase (4.77), 3α-HS0 (3.57), 17α-hydroxylase (0.93), 17β-HS0 (0.34) and C₁₇-C₂₀ lyase (0.34). The relatively high rate of steroidogenic enzyme activities in the Sertoli cells of young rats may indicate that Sertoli cells are less dependent on Leydig cell steroidogenesis than has been assumed. Since nearly all the metabolites of progesterone and testosterone are now identified, it is possible to construct a picture of Sertoli cell steroidogenic activity.     

Testosterone metabolism by isolated human axillary corynebacterium spp.: A gaschromatographic mass-spectrometric study

Transformations of [4-¹⁴C]testosterone have been studied in Corynebacterium spp. isolated from the axillae of men. Metabolites have been separated by TLC and capillary gas chromatography and have been identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The introduction of a clean-up step using Florisil columns, prior to TLC, removed Tween-80 which co-extracted from the medium with the metabolites. This procedure greatly improved TLC resolution.Testosterone was converted enzymically to 5α- and 5β-DHT, identification being assisted by the inclusion of [3,4-¹³C]testosterone in some incubations. Other metabolites formed enzymically were 4-androstene-3,17-dione, 5β-androstane-3,17-dione, 3β-hydroxy-5β-androstan-17-one and 5β-androstane-3α.l7α-diol. Some spontaneous breakdown of [¹⁴C]testosterone occurred giving rise to 5α(β)-DHT, androstanediol and a monohydroxy-diketo-androstene, the latter being reduced enzymically to 2 monohydroxy-diketo-androstanes. Under the conditions used, no clear evidence has been obtained for the formation of 5α-androst-16-en-3-one, an odorous steroid that occurs in the axillae of men; the possible reasons why we were unable to prove the biosynthesis of this compound are discussed.     

Biologically active abietane and ent-kaurane diterpenoids and other constituents from Erythroxylum suberosum

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanol extract from the branches of Erythroxylum suberosum, which was toxic to brine shrimp larvae, afforded five diterpenes bearing abietane and ent-kaurane-type skeletons from an active fraction. From these, four were new, 7-oxo-16-hydroxy-abiet-15(17)-en-19-al, 16-hydroxyabiet-15(17)-en-7-one, 7α,16-dihydroxy-abiet-15(17)-en-19-al and ent-12α-hydroxy-kaur-16-en-19-al, while methyl ent-7α,15β-dihydroxy-kaur-16-en-19-oate is reported for the first time as a natural product. This is also the first reported occurrence of abietane-type diterpenes in the genus Erythroxylum. The flavonoid ombuin-3-rutinoside was isolated from an inactive fraction, while rutin (quercetin-3-rutinoside) was obtained from the non-toxic ethanol extract of the leaves. The structures of the new and known compounds were established by analyses of 1D- and 2D-NMR and mass spectrometry data.     

Ent-kauren-19-oic acid derivatives from the stem bark of Croton pseudopulchellus Pax

Two new ent-kauren-19-oic acid derivatives, ent-14S*-hydroxykaur-16-en-19-oic acid and ent-14S*,17-dihydroxykaur-15-en-19-oic acid together with eleven known compounds ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, ent-kaur-16-en-19-al, ent-12β-hydroxykaur-16-en-19-oic acid, ent-12β-acetoxykaur-16-en-19-oic acid, 8R,13R-epoxylabd-14-ene, eudesm-4(15)-ene-1β,6α-diol, (?)-7-epivaleran-4-one, germacra-4(15), 5E,10(14)-trien-9β-ol, acetyl aleuritolic acid, β-amyrin, and stigmasterol were isolated from the stem bark of Croton pseudopulchellus (Euphorbiaceae). Structures were determined using spectroscopic techniques. Ent-14S*-hydroxykaur-16-en-19-oic acid, ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, ent-12β-hydroxykaur-16-en-19-oic acid, ent-12β-acetoxykaur-16-en-19-oic acid and 8R,13R-epoxylabd-14-ene were tested for their effects on Semliki Forest virus replication and for cytotoxicity against human liver tumour cells (Huh-7 strain) but were found to be inactive. Ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, the major constituent, showed weak activity against the Plasmodium falciparum (CQS) D10 strain.     

Comparative placental steroid synthesis. II. C19 steroid metabolism by guinea-pig placentas and fetal adrenals in vitro

Placental homogenates from guinea-pigs at 16, 20, 35 and 55 days gestation were incubated with 7α-³H-dehydroepiandrosterone and 4-¹⁴C-androstenedione and analyzed for conversion products by reverse isotope dilution methods. ¹⁴C-3α-Hydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one, ¹⁴C-androstane-3α, 17β-diol and ³Handrost-5-ene-3β, 17β-diol were isolated from homogenates incubated with substrates for 2 hours. ³H, ¹⁴C-Testosterone was isolated from preparations incubated for 15 minutes or with high substrate: tissue ratios. Androst-4-ene-3, 17-dione, 5α-androstane-3, 17-dione, 5β-androstanedione derivative and C₁₈ steroid formation could not be demonstrated. These results demonstrate the capacity of guinea-pig placentas to convert dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione to testosterone and to derivatives reduced in ring A (5α) and at carbon 17. The activity of the Δ⁵-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme system appears to have been rate limiting.Homogenates of adrenals from 44–55 day old fetuses converted 4-¹⁴C-pregnenolone to androst-4-ene-3, 17-dione and 6β- and 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione. A guineapig fetal-placental unit is postulated, with steroid metabolic characteristics different from the human unit. Both permit reduction of fetal adrenal cortisol production and placental removal of C₁₉ steroids.     

3 -Hydroxy- 5 -C 19 -and C 21 -steroid oxidoreductase activity in rat liver

The presence of small amounts of 3β-hydroxy-Δ⁵-C₁₉- and C₂₁-steroid oxidoreductase in the microsomal fraction of rat liver is shown. NAD was the preferred cofactor. K_m for the oxidation of dehydroepiandrosterone (3β-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one) into androstenedione (4-androstene-3,17-dione) was 3 × 10⁻⁶ M. In similarity to the adrenal and gonadal 3β-hydroxy-Δ⁵-C₁₉-steroid oxidoreductase, but in contrast to the hepatic 3β-hydroxy-Δ⁵-C₂₇-steroid oxidoreductase involved in the biosynthesis of bile acids, the hepatic 3β-hydroxy-Δ⁵-C₁₉-steroid oxidoreductase was inhibited by the 3β-hydroxy-Δ⁵-steroid oxidoreductase inhibitor, 2α-cyano-4,4,17-trimethyl-17β-hydroxy-5-androsten-3-one, and the activity was greatly reduced with microsomes from immature rats.     

Biotransformation of testosterone and other androgens by suspension cultures of Nicotiana tabacum “Bright yellow”

It has been shown that the cultured cells of Nicotiana tabacum “Bright Yellow” are capable of transforming testosterone to Δ⁴-androstene-3, 17-dione, 5α-androstan-17β-ol-3-one, 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-diol, its dipalmitate and 3- and 17-monoglucosides, epiandrosterone, its palmitate and glucoside, testosterone glucoside. 5α-Androstane-3β, 17β-diol dipalmitate and 3- and 17-monoglucosides, epiandrosterone palmitate and glucoside, and testosterone glucoside have been found for the first time as metabolites of testosterone in plant systems. Δ⁴-Androstene-3,17-dione was converted to testosterone. 5α-Androstan-17β-ol-3-one, which has been recognized as an active form of testosterone in mammals, was also detected. It has also been demonstrated that [4-¹⁴C]testosterone is actively incorporated in these transformations.     

3-Methylene-substituted androgens as novel aromatization inhibitors. Evidence of a requirement for C-3 oxygen in C-19 hydroxylations

Substitution of a methylene group for the C-3 oxygen in androstenedione, testosterone, and the corresponding 19-hydroxy and 19-oxo derivatives results in a new category of inhibitors of estrogen biosynthesis by human placental microsomes. The inhibition is of the competitive type with the most effective inhibitors being the 17-ketonic compounds, 3-methyleneandrost-4-en-17-one, 19-hydroxy-3-methyleneandrost-4-en-17-one, and 3-methylene-19-oxoandrost-4-en-17-one with apparent Ki values of 4.7, 13, and 24 nM, respectively. The 3-methylene derivatives of androstenedione and 19-hydroxyandrostenedione were effective substrates for the placental microsomal 17 beta-hydroxy-steroid oxidoreductase but were only marginally hydroxylated at the C-19 position to the respective 19-hydroxy and 19-oxo derivatives. The 3-methylene analogs are thus competitive inhibitors of aromatization but are not substrates for this enzyme complex. Time-dependent inhibition of aromatization by 10 beta-difluoromethylestr-4-ene-3,17-dione and 10 beta-(2-propynyl)estr-4-ene,3,17-dione was abolished by substitution of a methylene function for the C-3 oxygen, suggesting that the presence of an oxygen at C-3 is required for an oxidative transformation at C-19, an initial step in aromatization. The essential role of the C-19 hydroxylation in aromatization is supported by the observation that the 3-methylene derivatives of 19-hydroxy- and 19-oxoandrostenedione showed time-dependent inhibition, but the corresponding 19-methyl compound did not. The 3-methylene androgens are potent inhibitors of placental aromatization but are themselves only marginal substrates for the enzyme. Their high affinity for and inertness to the placental aromatase complex makes them valuable probes of the aromatization process.     

Role of Neutral Metabolites in Microbial Conversion of 3β-Acetoxy-19-Hydroxycholest-5-Ene into Estrone

Biotransformation of 3β-acetoxy-19-hydroxycholest-5-ene (19-HCA, 6 g) by Moraxella sp. was studied. Estrone (712 mg) was the major metabolite formed. Minor metabolites identified were 5α-androst-1-en-19-ol-3,17-dione (33 mg), androst-4-en-19-ol-3,17-dione (58 mg), androst-4-en-9α,19-diol-3,17-dione (12 mg), and androstan-19-ol-3,17-dione (1 mg). Acidic metabolites were not formed. Time course experiments on the fermentation of 19-HCA indicated that androst-4-en-19-ol-3,17-dione was the major metabolite formed during the early stages of incubation. However, with continuing fermentation its level dropped, with a concomitant increase in estrone. Fermentation of 19-HCA in the presence of specific inhibitors or performing the fermentation for a shorter period (48 h) did not result in the formation of acidic metabolites. Resting-cell experiments carried out with 19-HCA (200 mg) in the presence of α,α′-bipyridyl led to the isolation of three additional metabolites, viz., cholestan-19-ol-3-one (2 mg), cholest-4-en-19-ol-3-one (10 mg), and cholest-5-en-3β,19-diol (12 mg). Similar results were also obtained when n-propanol was used instead of α,α′-bipyridyl. Resting cells grown on 19-HCA readily converted both 5α-androst-1-en-19-ol-3,17-dione and androst-4-en-19-ol-3,17-dione into estrone. Partially purified 1,2-dehydrogenase from steroid-induced Moraxella cells transformed androst-4-en-19-ol-3,17-dione into estrone and formaldehyde in the presence of phenazine methosulfate, an artificial electron acceptor. These results suggest that the degradation of the hydrocarbon side chain of 19-HCA does not proceed via C₂₂ phenolic acid intermediates and complete removal of the C₁₇ side chain takes place prior to the aromatization of the A ring in estrone. The mode of degradation of the sterol side chain appears to be through the fission of the C₁₇-C₂₀ bond. On the basis of these observations, a new pathway for the formation of estrone from 19-HCA in Moraxella sp. has been proposed.     

Conversion of 4-androstene-3,17-dione to testosterone by Pisum sativum

4-Androstene-3,17-dione-[4-¹⁴C] was applied to the leaves of growing pea plants, Pisum sativum. Within a week, 28% of the administered steroid was specifically reduced to testosterone. Part of the testosterone was present in esterified form, and 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol was also identified as a metabolite, but neither epitestosterone nor estrogens were detected.     

Lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase. The metabolism of some potential intermediates by cell-free systems from rat liver.

A number of potential intermediates of lanosterol¹ 14α-demethylation have been synthesized for the first time and labelled with ³H. A direct comparison of the rates of conversion of each of these materials to cholesterol and 5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol by a cell-free system from rat liver has been made. Although 5α-lanost-8-en-3β,32-diol and 3β-hydroxy-5α-lanost-8-en-32-al were converted to C₂₇ sterols at a greater rate than was 5α-lanost-8-en-3β-ol, the apparent K_m values were larger than those expected if these compounds were obligatory intermediates. 5α-Lanost-8-en-3β,15α-diol and 5α-lanost-8-en-3β,15β-diol were poorer precursors of cholesterol but each was extensively converted both to a more polar compound and to the corresponding 3β,15-diol diester.     

Differential inhibition of androst-4-en-3,17-dione aromatization by carbon monoxide in the presence of estr-4-en-3,17-dione.

The aromatization of androst-4-en-3,17-dione or 17beta hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (testosterone) is not inhibited by carbon monoxide under normal incubation conditions, whereas the aromatization of corresponding 19-nor steroids (estr-4-en-3,17-dione and 17beta-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one) is readily inhibited under the same conditions. A possible explanation was found when it was shown that androst-4-en-3,17-dione and testosterone could displace bound carbon monoxide from human placental microsomal cytochrome P-450. The 19-nor steroids did not displace carbon monoxide, even at very high concentrations. These C-18 compounds appeared to facilitate complex formation and reversed the effects of the C-19 steroids. A mutual antagonism was observed with regard to effects on the formation of the ce titrated. These observations suggested that the aromatization of androst-4-en-3,17-dione should be inhibited by carbon monoxide if sufficient concentrations of the 19-nor steroids were present in reaction flasks. This hypotheses was tested and positive results were obtained, providing strong evidence for the involvement of cytochrome P-450 in normal estrogen biosynthesis.     

Studies on the Microbiological Transformation of Steroids

An attempt was made to clarify how Pellicularia filamentosa f. sp. microsclerotia IFO 6298 capable of hydroxylating C₂₁-steroids at the C-19 position converts C₁₉-steroids, especially monohydroxyderivatives of androst-4-ene-3, 17-dione. Such substrates as 11β-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (I), androst-4-ene-3, 11, 17-trione (II), androsta-1,4-diene-3, 17-dione (III), 11β-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (IV), 14α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione (V), 15α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione (VI) and 9α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione (VII) were converted by the organism. All the main and several minor products were then isolated and identified. As a result it is concluded that this organism converts I and II into 14α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,11,17-trione, III and IV into 14α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,1l,17-trione, V into 11α 14α dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione (main) and 11β, 14α-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione (minor, a tentative structure), VI into 11β, 15α-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (main) and 15α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,11,17-trione (minor, a tentative structure) and VII into 9α, 14α-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione (main) and 6β, 9α-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (minor).

In addition, the structural requirement of substrate for the 19-hydroxylation catalyzed by the organism and the influence of a hydroxyl group on steroid nucleus upon the 11β- and 14α-hydroxylations and the 11β-OH-dehydrogenation was discussed.     

Steroid biosynthesis by reptilian adrenals

Incubations of whole homogenates of. the tiju lizard ($\text{Tupinambis sp}$.) adrenals tissue were carried out using ¹⁴C-labelled progesterone^1*, pregnenolone and cholesterol. ¹⁴C-progesterone was metabolized to labelled 18-hydroxycorticosterone, aldosterone, corticosterone and 11-deoxycorticosterone. Identical metabolites plus ¹⁴C-progesterone were obtained from pregnenolone. Cholesterol-4-¹⁴C was transformed into products similar to those obtained from progesterone. In all these studies the elaboration of cortisol or any other 17-hydroxylated steroids could not be demonstrated. In another set of experiments, whole homogenate preparations from adrenals of the green lizard ($\text{lacerta viridis}$) were incubated with ¹⁴C-labelled androstenedione and testosterone. Ahdrostenedione was converted to testosterone and 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione. Testosterone was metabolized to 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione and androstenedione. The results indicate that the $\text{in vitro}$ transformation of C-27 or C-21 radioactive substrate by lizard adrenals is similar to the other reptiles studied. However, it appears to possess 17β-hydroxysteroid oxido-reductase, though the adrenal tissue itself lacks 17α-hydroxylase activity.     

Purification of 5β-reductase from hepatic cytosol fraction of chicken

From the cytosol fraction (supernatant fluid at 105,000 g) of chicken liver, 4-en-3-oxosteroid 5β-reductase (EC 1.3.1.23) was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by Butyl Toyopearl, DEAE-Sepharose, Sephadex G-75 and hydroxylapatite column chromatographies. The enzyme activity was quantitated from amount of the 5β-reduced metabolites derived from [4-¹⁴C]testosterone. During the purification procedures, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase which was present in the cytosol fraction was separated from 5β-reductase fraction by the Butyl Toyopearl column chromatography. By the DEAE-Sepharose column chromatography, 3α- and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases were able to be removed from 5β-reductase fraction. The final enzyme preparation was apparently homogenous on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Purification was about 13,600-fold from the hepatic cytosol. The molecular weight of this enzyme was estimated as 37,000 Da by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and also by Sephadex G-75 gel filtration. For 5β-reduction of 4-en-3-oxosteroids, such as testosterone, androstenedione and progesterone, NADPH was specifically required as cofactor. K_m of 5β-reductase for NADPH was estimated as 4.22 × 10⁻⁶M and for testosterone, 4.60 × 10⁻⁶M. The optimum pH of this enzyme ranged from pH 5.0 to 6.5 and other enzymic properties of the 5β-reductase were examined.     

Microbial transformations of steroids--VI. Transformation of testosterone and androstenedione by Botryosphaerica obtusa

The 7 beta progesterone-hydroxylating microorganism Botryosphaerica obtusa was tested for its ability to hydroxylate at this site the C-19 androstene-based compounds, androstenedione (androst-4-ene-3,17-dione) and testosterone (17 beta-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one). Only very limited 7 beta hydroxylation of both substrates was observed. The products included traces of 7 beta-monohydroxytestosterone and 6 beta,7 beta-dihydroxyandrostenedione from testosterone, and of 6 beta,7 beta-dihydroxyandrostenedione from androstenedione. 6 beta,7 beta-Dihydroxyandrostenedione does not appear to have been reported previously as a microbial transformation product. Both substrates were monohydroxylated in significant amounts at the isomeric 7 alpha site and at the 6 beta site. Testosterone was also significantly monohydroxylated at the 15 alpha site and in minor amounts at the 11 alpha and 12 beta sites. Some monohydroxytestosterones had also been oxidised at their 17-OH group, converting them into the corresponding monohydroxy androstenediones. The 7 alpha-hydroxy metabolites and 15 alpha-hydroxytestosterone being chemically demanding to synthesis are valuable microbial transformation products.