Metabolism of testosterone sulfate in the rat: analysis of biliary metabolites.

Following intraperitoneal injection of a mixture of testosterone-7-3-H-17-sulfate and testosterone-4-14-C into male and female rats with bile fistulas, biliary metabolites were separated and purified by a combination of column chromatography, enzymic hydrolysis or solvolysis of the conjugate fractions and identification of the liberated aglycones. The injected steroids were extensively metabolized and excreted predominantly in the bile. The major portion of the 3H was excreted in the disulfate fraction in both sexes. Solvolysis of the disulfate revealed the sex-specific aglycone pattern: 5alpha-Androstane-3beta,17beta-diol was the major metabolite in the male rat, whereas 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol and polar steroids were found in the female. In marked contrast, testosterone was metabolized in a different way than testosterone sulfate. 14-C radioactivity was distributed in monoglucosiduronate, monosulfate, and diconjugate fractions. Analysis of the aglycones showed that polar steroids were the main metabolites in the male. In the female, testosterone was metabolized to polar steroids, androsterone, and 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol.

Assay of bacterial copper leaching from covellin at alkaline initial pH.

Copper sulphide CuS was leached by bacteria. Beginning with an initial pH of 9.1, the bacteria acidified the environment and at the same time leached up to 5 g copper per liter. It is characteristic that the pH may sometimes stabilize at 4.0--5.0 and not fall below this value.

Degradation of oil shale by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.

Approximately 40% of oil shale can be solubilized by the action of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Thiobacillus thiooxidans and Thiobacillus concretivorous are equally effective in solubilization. Continuous leaching experiments show that this process can be completed within 14 days. The growth of Thiobacillus and the production of acid were measured under several conditions. Almost all of the CaMg(CO(3))(2) was removed by this process, leaving a complex of silica and kerogen that could be burned as low-energy fuel. The silica-kerogen complex had not yet been biologically degraded.