STEROIDS

Steroids represent a large group of compounds which exist in nature, having a common and characteristic structure based on the cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene ring (CPPP). It consists of phenanthrene rings (A, B, and C), to which cyclopentane ring (D) is attached.

These compounds vary widely in their occurrence and physiological properties despite their common basic structure. The various substances of physiological interest having the same steroid structure are classified as follows: