[Metabolism of sulfate and phosphate conjugates of 19-nortestosterone enantiomers].

The sulfate and phosphate conjugates of 19-nortestosterone (17beta-hydroxy-estr-4-ene-3-one) and ent-19-nortestosterone (ent-17beta-hydroxy-estr-4-ene-3-one) have been synthesized. The sodium salts of the conjugates were i.v. infused to 2 women. On days 1--4 following application, the 19-nortestosterone and 17-ketosteroid excretion in urine as well as the 19-nortestosterone conjugation have been estimated. The 19-nortestosterone enantiomers were excreted in nearly the same amounts. In comparison to testosterone, the excretion of unchanged steroid (20--50%) is significantly higher. The sulfate conjugates of the enantiomers are not hydrolyzed in vivo, whereas the phosphate conjugates are completely splitted. Hydrolysis of ent-nortestosterone phosphate takes place obviously more slowly. Urinary 17-ketosteroids are significantly increased only following infusion of 19-nortestosterone phosphate.