Steroid hormones nomenclature

Oxysterols are defined as oxygenated derivatives of cholest-5-en-3(3-ol (cholesterol) (Figure 18.1) or precursors of CHOL that may be formed directly by autoxidation or by the action of a specific monooxygenase, or that may be secondary to enzymatic or nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation (Guardiola et al., 1996 Schroepfer, 2000 Bjorkhem and Diczfalusy, 2002). These OS may be formed in the human body by endogenous free-radical attack on CHOL or by enzymatic processes, mainly in the biosynthesis of bile acids and steroid hormones. In addition, OS may be formed exogenously by autoxidation of CHOL in foods. The nomenclature and abbreviations of OS are presented in Table 18.1. It should be emphasized at this point that the OS that occur in... 

The work by Jones and Dobriner (1949) contains applications of infrared spectrometry to metabolism. A recent textbook on the metabolism of steroid hormones (Dorfman and Ungar, 1965) should be consulted for structures, nomenclature, and for the multifarious pathways in steroid metabolism, and for a discussion of conformational analysis of steroids. A chapter applying conformational analysis to steroids has been published by Eliel et al. (1965). A recently published handbook (Sober, 1968) shows the structures of 108 steroids and gives references to infrared data for many of them. The atlases by Neudert and Ropke (1965), Dobriner et al. (1953), and Roberts et al. (1958), are also very useful. Caspi and Scrimshaw (1967) have given some of the elementary aspects of the infrared spectroscopy of steroids. 

The naturally occurring cardenolides and the functions and chemistry of insect moulting hormones have been reviewed. The synthesis of steroid phosphates, sulphates, and glycosides has been summarised in a new book which draws attention to inadequacies in the current Rules of Carbohydrate Nomenclature when two types of glycosidic linkages are present, and in which is proposed a modification of these rules applicable to steroid glycosides. 

Products of known empirical formula, but unknown structure, are shown at the end of each group of entries having common empirical formulas. Systematic organic chemical nomenclature has been used, except for sapogenins and steroidal alkaloids. Common names of the principal hormones are given parenthetically. 

Estrogens are female sex hormones, the most important of which are estrone, estradiol, and estriol (of the three, /3-estradiol is the most potent). Note As per convention in steroid nomenclature, the designation beta means "toward the reader," on the topside as the rings are viewed in the accompanying diagram alpha means "away from the reader," on the bottom side.)... 

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