Richardson-merrell Inc.

John O'Neal Johnston

Joyce F Grunwell

Vladimir Petrow

Harvey D Benson

Compounds of the following general formula are useful in treating prostatic carcinoma: ##STR1## wherein R is --CHO or --CH.sub.2 OR.sub.1 ; each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, alkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and is straight or branched, benzoyl, phenylalkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and is straight or branched or cycloalkylcarbonyl wherein the cycloalkyl moiety has from 5 to 10 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 is hydrogen; or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together form a double bond between the 17-position carbon atom and the oxygen atom.

Method of treating prostatic carcinoma

Compounds of the following general formula are useful in treating the symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis: ##STR1## wherein R is --CHO or --CH.sub.2 OR.sub.1 ; each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, alkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and is straight or branched, benzoyl, phenylalkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and is straight or branched or cycloalkylcarbonyl wherein the cycloalkyl moiety has from 5 to 10 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 is hydrogen; or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together form a double bond between the 17-position carbon atom and the oxygen atom.

Method of treating the symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis

Compounds of the following general formula are useful in inducing an estrogenic response in a patient in need thereof: ##STR1## wherein R is --CHO or --CH.sub.2 OR.sub.1 ; each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, alkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and is straight or branched, benzoyl, phenylalkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and is straight or branched or cycloalkylcarbonyl wherein the cycloalkyl moiety has from 5 to 10 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 is hydrogen; or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together form a double bond between the 17-position carbon atom and the oxygen atom.

Method of inducing an estrogenic response

Compounds of the following general formula are useful in treating acne: ##STR1## wherein R is --CHO or --CH.sub.2 OR.sub.1 ; each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, alkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and is straight or branched, benzoyl, phenylalkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and is straight or branched or cycloalkylcarbonyl wherein the cycloalkyl moiety has from 5 to 10 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 is hydrogen; or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together form a double bond between the 17- position carbon atom and the oxygen atom.

Method of treating acne

7.alpha.-methyl-estr-5-ene-3.beta.,17.beta.-diol and 17-acyl esters as contragestative agents.

Method of terminating pregnancy

Compounds of the following general formula are useful in treating benign prostatic hypertrophy: ##STR1## wherein R is --CHO or --CH.sub.2 OR.sub.1 ; each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, alkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and is straight or branched, benzoyl, phenylalkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and is straight or branched or cycloalkylcarbonyl wherein the cycloalkyl moiety has from 5 to 10 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 is hydrogen; or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together form a double bond between the 17-position carbon atom and the oxygen atom.

Method of treating benign prostatic hypertrophy

A method of contraception which comprises administering a compound of the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is --CHO or --CH.sub.2 OR.sub.1 ; each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, alkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and is straight or branched, benzoyl, phenylalkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and is straight or branched or cycloalkylcarbonyl wherein the cycloalkyl moiety has from 5 to 10 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 is hydrogen; or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together form a double bond between the 17-position carbon atom and the oxygen atom either alone or in combination with a progestogen.

Method of contraception

A method of promoting the growth of ruminants and poultry without concommitant adrogenizing effects using the following compound: ##STR1## wherein R is --CHO or --CH.sub.2 OR.sub.1 ; each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, alkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and is straight or branched, benzoyl, phenylalkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and is straight or branched or cycloalkylcarbonyl wherein the cycloalkyl moiety has from 5 to 10 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 is hydrogen; or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together form a double bond between the 17- position carbon atom and the oxygen atom.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

John O'Neal Johnston