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Comparative Antiœstrogenic Potencies of Progesterone and 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone

Abstract

PROGESTERONE is known to be not only a progestational compound but also to exert various antiœstrogenic actions: it prevents œstrogen-induced abdominal fibroids, œstrogen-induced growth of the myometrium, and œstrogen-induced excessive luteinization1. The antiœstrogenic potency of progesterone is diminished by oxidation at C21, C11 and C17 2,3. The validity of this rule has been demonstrated by comparing progesterone with C11-derivatives such as 11β-hydroxyprogesterone and 11-keto-progesterone, and with a C21-derivative such as deoxycorticosterone. As to oxidation at C17, comparison was made between deoxycorticosterone and Reichstein's compound S or 17α-OH-11-deoxycorticosterone2. Thus the conclusion as to loss of antiœstrogenic potencies due to oxidation at C17 in the α-position has been so far an indirect one; a comparison of progesterone with 17α-hydroxyprogesterone was still lacking. Results with the latter are given in the present communication.

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References

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MARDONES, E., JADRIJEVIC, D. & LIPSCHUTZ, A. Comparative Antiœstrogenic Potencies of Progesterone and 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone. Nature 177, 478–479 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1038/177478b0

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