| Popis: |
The acid produced from microbially digested progesterone containing the remaining rings C and D of the sterane skeleton was labelled with tritium and further degraded by Nocardia opaca . In this way α-ketoglutaric acid and succinic acid could be obtained as degradation products which enter the citric acid cycle. A scheme with the proved and possible steps of the microbial degradation of progesterone is proposed for discussion. In the absence of a side chain at C-I7, as in the case of Δ 4 -androstene-3,17-dione, only succinic acid was obtained, which is in accordance with the concepts developed. Investigation of the degradation of steroids by microorganisms is suggested as a basis for the elucidation of the still unknown pathway of degradation in mammalian organisms. |
