Metabolic fate of diethylstilbestrol in the Syrian golden hamster, a susceptible species for diethylstilbestrol carcinogenicity.

1. Diethylstilbestrol, after oral administration to Syrian golden hamsters, is preferentially excreted in the faeces in males, and in about equal amounts in urine and faeces in females. Glucuronides comprise the major urinary conjugate for both sexes. 2. Eleven oxidative metabolites of diethylstilbestrol have been identified in the urinary glucoronide fraction. They represent aliphatic hydroxy-, aromatic hydroxy-, and aromatic methoxy-derivatives of diethylstilbestrol, pseudo diethylstilbestrol, and dienestrol. 3. No sex difference in the oxidative metabolism of diethylstilbestrol was observed in the hamster. 4. Detailed chromatographic and mass spectrometric information on the various metabolites is provided and discussed.