Microbial Synthesis of Sex Hormones

Estrone, which is obtainable from 19-hydroxycholesterol acetate through microbial oxidation, was chemically transformed to orally active estrogens, ethynylestradiol and methylestradiol. For progestin synthesis, 5alpha-bromo-6, 19-oxidoisoandrosterone was harvested from the culture broth(ATCC: 19170), in which 5alpha-bromo-6, 19-oxidocholestanol acetate was added as a carbon source. Methylestrenolone, a potent orally active progestin, was synthesized from the harvested product via several reactions. Norethindrone, a popular progestin, was, also prepared from 19-norandrostenedione. 19-Norandrostenedione is also available through microbial oxidation and chemical modification of 5alpha-chlor-6, 19-oxidocholestanol acetate.