CAS: 6424-05-1

3β,5α-Tetrahydronorethisterone is a synthetic steroid that is used as an oral contraceptive. It is used to suppress ovulation and prevent pregnancy in women. The major metabolites of 3β,5α-Tetrahydronorethisterone are conjugates with glucuronic acid. These conjugates are excreted in the urine and have been detected using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques. 3β,5α-Tetrahydronorethisterone can also be synthesized by derivatising the steroids progesterone or 17α-hydroxyprogesterone with trifluoroacetic acid and then reacting this with ethyl bromoacetate. This results in the formation of 3β,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone or 3β,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone acetate respectively.