| abstract |
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to steroid compounds of formula (X), which may advantageously stimulate meiosis in human oocytes. The steroid compounds of the present invention are characterized by an amino group whose nitrogen atom is attached to the C17 carbon atom of the steroid skeleton via an <RTIgt; A </RTI> tag. In the formula, C3R3 is C3 = O or C3H-OR3 - wherein R31 is as defined below. R 4, R 4, and R 20 are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; R23 and R23 are hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, or aryl; A is optionally substituted methylene or ethylene. HE |