Excretion of Steroid Hormones in Adults: Steroids in Faeces from Adults

The steroids in faeces from three healthy persons, one woman and two men, were analyzed by gas‐liquid chromatography and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Both C₁₉O₂, C₁₉O₃, C₂₁O₂ and C₂₁O₃ steroids were found in the free steroid and in the steroid monosulphate fractions. Incubation of various precursor steroids with intestinal contents recovered from the ileostoma of a colectomized patient demonstrated the presence of intestinal bacterial 16α‐ and 21‐dehydroxylating enzymes. Furthermore, it was shown that a Δ¹⁶‐C₂₁ steroid was converted to a 17α‐pregnane derivative and that the side chain of 11β,21‐dihydroxy‐4‐pregnene‐3,20‐dione could be removed by the intestinal bacteria.