Testosterone Metabolism in the Isolated Perfused Human Foetal Liver

The isolated liver of a female pre-viable foetus was perfused with [4-14C]testosterone. 6β-Hydroxy-testosterone, 6β-hydroxy-androstenedione, 2β-hydroxy-testosterone and androstenedione could be isolated from the perfusion medium. These compounds have been characterized by their gas-chromatographic behaviour on a SE-30 and XE-60 column, as free steroids, acetates and trimethylsilyl ethers. Furthermore 2β-hydroxy-testosterone as diacetate was crystallized to constant specific activity.