Abstract
1. [4-14C]Cortisone was administered to anaesthetized male and female New Zealand White rabbits as a single injection or as a 45–60min infusion. 2. The method of administration of the steroid did not significantly affect the total excretion of radioactivity in bile and urine [83.8±10.8%(s.d.)]. 3. The mean ratio of metabolites in urine to those in bile was 0.97±0.23% (range 0.64–1.3). 4. When bile and urine samples were hydrolysed successively by β-glucuronidase, cold acid and hot acid, neutral metabolites extracted by ethyl acetate–ether were found mainly after hydrolysis by β-glucuronidase. 5. An approximately equal proportion of the dose was converted into substances not extractable from alkaline aqueous solution after hydrolysis.