Metabolism of testosterone N-acetylglucosaminide.

Abstract The fate of 4- 14 C-testosterone 17-N-acetyl-glucosaminide has been studied in two subjects. Following intravenous administration urinary excretion of radioactivity was rapid. Testosterone N-acetylglucosaminide was the principal metabolites; etiocholanolone and androsterone conjugated with glucuronic acid were present in a ratio of 7.3. Following oral administration only traces of metabolites conjugated with the aminosugar were present. Etiocholanolone and androsterone were obtained in ratio of 7.3. In both studies etiocholane-3α,17β-diol was the predominant non-ketonic metabolite. These results were compared with the metabolites obtained following labelled testosterone and testosterone 17-glucosiduronate. The results demonstrate that 1) the cleavage of the glycosidic linkage is almost complete by the oral route, 2) ring A is reduced prior to hydrolysis of the aminosugar and 3) there is a directive influence of the aminosugar toward 5β-reduction similar to that of a glucosiduronate group at C-17.