Identification of metabolites of the anabolic steroid methandienone formedby bovine hepatocytes in vitro

Monolayer cultures of bovine hepatocytes were used to investigate the biotr ansformation of methandienone in vitro. After incubation of bovine hepatocy tes with methandienone, samples were taken at different times. The samples were treated with deconjugation enzymes and extracted with diethyl ether. T he metabolites formed were converted to their trimethylsilylether derivativ es. By using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with electron impact and chemical ionisation, several metabolites were identified. After 24 h of inc ubation with bovine hepatocytes, 83% of the parent compound was converted t o its metabolites. The major metabolite found was 6-beta-hydroxymethandieno ne with a yield of 24%. This compound was identified after comparison with an authentic sample of 6 beta-hydroxymethandienone, which was synthesized c hemically.