Role of rat cytochromes P450 in the oxidation of 17α-ethinylestradiol

17α-Ethinylestradiol (EE2) is an endocrine disruptor (ED) used as an ingredient of oral contraceptives. Rat hepatic microsomes metabolize EE2 to three products; two of them are hydroxylated EE2 derivatives. Of the hydroxylation reactions, 2-hydroxylation, is the major reaction. Cytochrome P450 (C…