[Experimental investigations on the effect of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens on the steroid 4-pregnen-20beta-ol-3-one].

In the context of investigations about the stability of sexual steroids, which are excreted from animals to the environment, it was checked whether microorganisms of the intestinal microflora influence the degradation of these compounds. The germs used were Escherichia coli or Clostridium perfringens. The hormone investigated was the 4-pregnene-20 beta-ol-3-one (20 beta P4). 20 beta P4 was incubated together with the microbes (experimental groups) and without these (control groups) in nutrient medium for the bacteria over 48 hours at 37 degrees C or 42 degrees C. As a result no differences in concentration were found between the experimental and control groups after incubation. Neither an effect of Escherichia coli nor one of Clostridium perfringens was detectable on the concentration of 20 beta P4. However there was a significant decrease of the 20 beta P4-concentration after the incubation over 48 hours at 37 degrees C or 42 degrees C in both the experimental and control groups. That could indicate a thermal degradation of the compound tested.