Our data do not prove that progesterone is the natural precursor, but such
a hypothesis is supported by the work of Vischer and Wettstein (14), who have
shown that Fusarium soIani and Fusarium caucasiucum degrade progesterone
to A 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione in sizable quantities. Fried et al. (2) have
demonstrated that the fermentation of progesterone with Streptomyces lavendulae
yields A 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione and A 1,4-androstadiene-17-ol-3-
one. The component androgens of cow feces have been identified (10) and it
was shown that A 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione is the major component. Thus,
it would appear that the progesterone in female bovine feces is converted during
the drying process to a product which exhibits androgenic activity.
ACKNOWLEDGME~N T
The authors wish to acknowledge the cooperation and encouragement given them by
Drs. J. E. Nellor and H. H. Cole.
REFERENCES
(1) DUNCAN, D B. Multiple Range and Multiple F Tests. Biometrics, 11: 1. 1955.
(2) FRrm), J., THOMA, R. W., ~NI) KLIN~SBERG, A. Oxidation of Steroids by Microorganisms.
III. Side Chain Degradation, Ring D-Cleavage and Dehydrogenation in Ring A.
J. Am. Chem. Soc., 75: 5764. 1953.
(3) GASSN~, F. X. Some Physiological and Medical Aspects of the Gonadal Cycle of
Domestic Animals. Rec. Progr. in Hormone Research, 7: 165. 1952.
(4) GASSNEa~, F. X., ANI) LONGWELL, B. B. Fecal Excretion of Androgens by the Dairy
Cow During Pregnancy. Federation Proc., 6: 109. 1947.
(5) HAMMOm), J. C. Cow Manure as a Source of Certain Vitamins for Growing Chickens.
Poultry Sci., 21: 554. 1942.
(6) KInSMEn, C. Y. Extension of Multiple Range Tests to Group Means with Unequal
Numbers of Replications. Biometrics, 12: 307. 1956.
(7) MA~OW, H. W. Possible Sources of the Androgenic Factor in Cow Manure. Proc.
Soc. Exptl. Biol. Meal., 72: 215. 1949.
a hypothesis is supported by the work of Vischer and Wettstein (14), who have
shown that Fusarium soIani and Fusarium caucasiucum degrade progesterone
to A 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione in sizable quantities. Fried et al. (2) have
demonstrated that the fermentation of progesterone with Streptomyces lavendulae
yields A 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione and A 1,4-androstadiene-17-ol-3-
one. The component androgens of cow feces have been identified (10) and it
was shown that A 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione is the major component. Thus,
it would appear that the progesterone in female bovine feces is converted during
the drying process to a product which exhibits androgenic activity.
ACKNOWLEDGME~N T
The authors wish to acknowledge the cooperation and encouragement given them by
Drs. J. E. Nellor and H. H. Cole.
REFERENCES
(1) DUNCAN, D B. Multiple Range and Multiple F Tests. Biometrics, 11: 1. 1955.
(2) FRrm), J., THOMA, R. W., ~NI) KLIN~SBERG, A. Oxidation of Steroids by Microorganisms.
III. Side Chain Degradation, Ring D-Cleavage and Dehydrogenation in Ring A.
J. Am. Chem. Soc., 75: 5764. 1953.
(3) GASSN~, F. X. Some Physiological and Medical Aspects of the Gonadal Cycle of
Domestic Animals. Rec. Progr. in Hormone Research, 7: 165. 1952.
(4) GASSNEa~, F. X., ANI) LONGWELL, B. B. Fecal Excretion of Androgens by the Dairy
Cow During Pregnancy. Federation Proc., 6: 109. 1947.
(5) HAMMOm), J. C. Cow Manure as a Source of Certain Vitamins for Growing Chickens.
Poultry Sci., 21: 554. 1942.
(6) KInSMEn, C. Y. Extension of Multiple Range Tests to Group Means with Unequal
Numbers of Replications. Biometrics, 12: 307. 1956.
(7) MA~OW, H. W. Possible Sources of the Androgenic Factor in Cow Manure. Proc.
Soc. Exptl. Biol. Meal., 72: 215. 1949.