Abstract: Corticoids of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is .beta.-hydroxymethylene or carbonyl, and 21-esters thereof with physiologically acceptable acids possess topical anti-inflammatory activity with relatively little systemic activity.

Abstract: Pregnane-21-oic acid derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein THE LINKAGE REPRESENTS A SINGLE BOND OR A DOUBLE BOND;X is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine;Y is methylene, hydroxymethylene, alkanoyloxymethylene, carbonyl, fluoromethylene or chloromethylene;R.sub.1 is hydrogen, alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms, phenyl or naphthyl substituted with 0-3 lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or chlorine; andR.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, the cation of a physiologically compatible base or the residue of a physiologically acceptable alcohol of 1-18 carbon atoms.These compounds exhibit useful antiinflammatory activity when topically applied to inflamed skin.

Abstract: 11.beta.-Fluoroandrostenes of the formula ##SPC1##Wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrogen atoms, methylene or another C--C bond; R.sub.3 is H or Cl, R.sub.4 is H, F or Cl; and X is carbonyl, .beta.-hydroxymethylene, or an ester or ether thereof or .alpha.-alkyl-.beta.-hydroxymethylene or an ester thereof, possess androgenic activity and can be prepared by the dehalogenation of a corresponding 9.alpha.-halo-11.beta.-F steroid.

Abstract: 20-Cyano-17.alpha.-H steroids having as the 17-position substituent the group ##EQU1## wherein R is H, alkyl of 1-8 carbon atoms or benzyl, having a 13-methyl or 13-ethyl group and which are unsubstituted or substituted with an .alpha.-methyl group in the 16-position are converted to the corresponding 20-keto steroids by reaction in an aprotic solvent with a deprotonating agent containing an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, copper(I) or thallium(I), and optionally additionally with a copper(I) salt or a thallium(I) salt or a silver(I) salt, and thereafter conducting an oxidative splitting reaction with oxygen. The thus-produced 17.beta.-oxalyl steroids possess pharmacological activity, e.g., anti-inflammatory activity, or are useful as intermediates for the production of pharmacologically active steroids.

Abstract: 3,17,18-Trihydroxy-1,3,5(10)-estratrienes of the formula ##SPC1##Wherein R is H or substituted or unsubstituted saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon, and esters and ethers thereof, possess strong vaginotropic and only weak utertropic activity and are useful in the treatment of estrogenic deficiency conditions where uteral effects are not desired.

Abstract: Steroids of the formula ##SPC1##Wherein X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or methyl; Y is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; Z is carbonyl, .beta.-acyloxymethylene or, when Y is a hydrogen atom, also methylene; R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or methyl; R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom or optionally substituted hydrocarbon; and --A--B-- is --CH=CH--, --CCl=CH-- or when at least one of X, Y and R.sub.1 is other than a hydrogen atom, --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, which can be produced by oxidizing a corresponding 20-hydroxy steroid or a corresponding 21-aldehyde, possess topical anti-inflammatory activity.

Abstract: 8.alpha.-Estratrienes of the formula ##SPC1##Wherein R is lower alkyl and X is an oxygen atom, a .beta.-hydroxy or .beta.-hydroxy-.alpha.-substituted or unsubstituted saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group, and the esters and ethers thereof, possess strong vaginotropic but only weak utertropic activity and are useful in the treatment of estrogenic deficiency conditions where uteral effects are not desired.

Abstract: 1,3-Dihydroxy-8.alpha.-estratrienes of the formula ##SPC1##Wherein R is lower-alkyl and --A--B is ##SPC2##Wherein R' is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group and R" is lower-alkyl, aralkyl or phenyl, and the esters and ethers thereof, possess strong vaginotropic but only weak utertropic activity and are useful in the treatment of estrogenic deficiency conditions where uteral effects are not desired.

Abstract: Pregnane-21-oic acids of the formula ##SPC1##Wherein X is a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or methyl; Y is a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a chlorine atom; Z is methylene, carbonyl, .beta.-hydroxymethylene, .beta.-acyloxymethylene or when Y is a chlorine atom, .beta.-fluoromethylene or .beta.-chloromethylene; V is methylene, ethylidene or vinylidene; R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or acyl, and physiologically acceptable salts thereof with bases and physiologically acceptable 21-esters thereof, possess topical anti-inflammatory activity with substantially no systemic activity.