Sterol and bile acid metabolism during development: 2. Identification of 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid (an intermediate in alternate pathway of bile acid synthesis) in newborn and fetal guinea pig.

3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid was found in the bile and feces of newborn and fetal guinea pigs. The identity of this compound was confirmed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. This finding suggests that the formation of chenodeoxycholic acid through 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid is intermediate in the early life of guinea pigs. Thus, it provides a useful model for studying the details of regulatory factors and significance of this pathway. This study also revealed that, unlike the adult guinea pig, the newborn guinea pig has significant amounts of glycine conjugates of bile acid.