The major metabolic pathway proceeds via the reduction of ring A, and the resulting metabolites are conjugated and excreted into the urine as sulphates and glucuronosides.
The peripheral interconversion of androgens has important physiological consequences. Androstenedione is a major precursor of testosterone and, in the female, is a major source of this steroid. It is also converted to oestrone, and in older women, when ovarian secretion of oestrogen is less important, the production of oestrone from androstenedione contributes significantly to the total production of oestrogen.
