2859described18 using a Neurospora sp. (M 714). The methylene chloride extracts were concentrated to dryness, dissolved in 10% ethyl acetate in benzene and chromatographed on 1400 g. of silica gel. The chromatographic column was eluted successively with 10%, 12%, 15%, 25%, 35%, 40%, and 50% ethyl acetate in benzene. The 50% eluates were concentrated to dryness and the residue was crystallized from acetone,cyclohexane, then from methanol, and finally from acetonecyclohexane again to yield 394 mg. of 7a-hy droxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione, m.p. 255-256.5*, C°°2 41 m", « 16,000.The maximum in the ultraviolet spectrum in 0.101Y methanolic potassium hydroxide shifted on standing from 241 mg to 283 µ.

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