Experimental investigations into influence of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens on the steroid 4-pregnene-20 beta-ol-3-one

In the context of investigations about the stability of sexual steroids, wh ich are excreted from animals to the environment, it was checked whether mi croorganisms of the intestinal microflora influence the degradation of thes e compounds. The germs used were Escherichia coli or Clostridium perfringen s. The hormone investigated was the 4-pregnene-20 beta-ol-3-one (20 beta P- 4). 20 beta P-4 was incubated together with the microbes (experimental grou ps) and without these (control groups) in nutrient medium for the bacteria over 48 hours at 37 degrees C or 42 degrees C. As a result no differences in concentration were found between the experime ntal and control groups after incubation. Neither an effect of Escherichia coli nor one of Clostridium perfringens was detectable on the concentration of 20 beta P-4. However there was a significant decrease of the 20 beta P- 4-concentration after the inkubation over 48 hours at 37 degrees C or 42 de grees C in both the experimental and control groups. That could indicate a thermal degradation of the compound tested.