Steroid metabolism in the rabbit. Biliary and urinary excretion of metabolites of [4-14C] cortisone.

1. [4-(14)C]Cortisone was administered to anaesthetized male and female New Zealand White rabbits as a single injection or as a 45-60min infusion. 2. The method of administration of the steroid did not significantly affect the total excretion of radioactivity in bile and urine [83.8+/-10.8%(s.d.)]. 3. The mean ratio of metabolites in urine to those in bile was 0.97+/-0.23% (range 0.64-1.3). 4. When bile and urine samples were hydrolysed successively by beta-glucuronidase, cold acid and hot acid, neutral metabolites extracted by ethyl acetate-ether were found mainly after hydrolysis by beta-glucuronidase. 5. An approximately equal proportion of the dose was converted into substances not extractable from alkaline aqueous solution after hydrolysis.