On the Formation of Cholic Acid from Cholest-4-ene-3alpha,7-alpha,12alpha-triol and Cholest-4-ene-3beta,7alpha,12alpha-triol. Bile Acids and Steroids 166.

Abstract
The synthesis of 3[beta]-3H-4-14C-cholest-4-ene-3[alpha],7[alpha],12[alpha]-triol and 3[beta]-3H-4-14C-cholest-4-ene-3[beta],7[alpha],12[alpha]-triol is described. Both compounds were transformed efficiently into cholic acid in the bile fistula rat. The ratio of tritium to 14C in the cholic acid isolated from bile was such as to demonstrate that the formation of cholic acid from these sterols occurred mainly through a pathway including a 3-keto steroid as an intermediate.