17α-Ethinyl-18-methyl-19-nortestosterone esters

Abstract

.Iadd. A therapeutic compound for inhibiting ovulation comprising a 17-ester of 17α-ethinyl-18-methyl-19-nortestosterone wherein the said 17-ester group is formed from an aliphatic carboxylic acid having from six to 11 carbon atoms in the ester residue..Iaddend.

What is claimed is as follows: 
     
       1. A therapeutic compound for inhibiting ovulation comprising .[.as active ingredient a compound selected from the group consisting of.]. a 17-ester of 17α-ethinyl-18-methyl-19-nortestosterone .[.and a 17α-ethinyl-18-methyl-Δ 3 ,5 -estradiene-3, 17β-diol-3, 17β-diester.]. wherein the said 17-ester .[.and 3, 17β-diester groups are.]. .Iadd.group is .Iaddend.formed from .Iadd.an .Iaddend.aliphatic carboxylic .[.acids.]. .Iadd.acid .Iaddend.having from .[.1.]. .Iadd.six .Iaddend.to 11 carbon atoms in the ester residue .[.; and a pharmaceutical carrier for said compound.].. 
     
     
       2. The compound of claim 1 which is the 17β-.[.acetate.]. .Iadd.undecylate .Iaddend.of the said nortestosterone. 
     
     
       3. The compound of claim 1 which is the 17β-caproate of the said nortestosterone. .[. 
     
     
       4.  The compound of claim 1 which is the 17β-diacetate of the said estradiene..]. .[.5. The compound of claim 1 which is the 
     
     
        17β-caproate of the said estradiene..]. 6. A therapeutic composition for inhibiting ovulation comprising as active ingredient the 17α-ethinyl-18-methyl-19-nortestosterone ester defined in claim 1 in an amount of 0.1 to 0.5 mg. and in admixture with a pharmaceutical 
     
     
        carrier. 7. A therapeutic composition for inhibiting ovulation according to claim 6, wherein said ester is 17α-ethinyl-18-methyl-19-nortestosterone-.[.acetate.]. 
     
     
        .Iadd.undecylate.Iaddend.. 8. A method of providing steroid therapy which comprises administering to a subject a therapeutic composition according to claim 6.