Identification of metabolites of the anabolic steroid methandienone formed by bovine hepatocytes in vitro.

Monolayer cultures of bovine hepatocytes were used to investigate the biotransformation of methandienone in vitro. After incubation of bovine hepatocytes with methandienone, samples were taken at different times. The samples were treated with deconjugation enzymes and extracted with diethyl ether. The metabolites formed were converted to their trimethylsilylether derivatives. By using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with electron impact and chemical ionisation, several metabolites were identified. After 24 h of incubation with bovine hepatocytes, 83% of the parent compound was converted to its metabolites. The major metabolite found was 6-beta-hydroxymethandienone with a yield of 24%. This compound was identified after comparison with an authentic sample of 6 beta-hydroxymethandienone, which was synthesized chemically.