Progesterone (Ref: NSC 64377)

Progesterone (Ref: NSC 64377)	Last updated: 16/09/2025
(Also known as: NSC 9704)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A naturally occurring hormone essential for for endometrial receptivity, embryo implantation, and the successful establishment of pregnancy

Examples of veterinary uses

Mainly used for the control of the oestrous cycle and may be used in conjunction with prostaglandin F2alpha or anologue

Examples of species treated

Dogs; Cats; Cattle; Sheep

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Approved - usually sipplied as a prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Progesterone exhibits stereoisomerism due to the presence of six chiral centres located at carbon atoms C8, C9, C10, C13, C14, and C17 within its cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene steroid nucleus. The naturally occurring form of progesterone is a single, specific stereoisomer, with the configuration (8S,9S,10R,13S,14S,17S).

Chemical formula

C₂₁H₃₀O₂

Canonical SMILES

CC(=O)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CCC4=CC(=O)CCC34C)C

Isomeric SMILES

CC(=O)[C@H]1CC[C@@H]2[C@@]1(CC[C@H]3[C@H]2CCC4=CC(=O)CC[C@]34C)C

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

RJKFOVLPORLFTN-LEKSSAKUSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C21H30O2/c1-13(22)17-6-7-18-16-5-4-14-12-15(23)8-10-20(14,2)19(16)9-11-21(17,18)3/h12,16-19H,4-11H2,1-3H3/t16-,17+,18-,19-,20-,21+/m0/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
progesterone	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Substance groups

Steroid hormone

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Progesterone suppresses the release of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) and consequently luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary, inhibiting follicle maturation and thus, controlling the estrous cycle

Molecular targets

[Pregnane X receptor, Agonist]

CAS RN

57-83-0

EC number

200-350-6

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

5994

Therapeutic Class

Genito urinary system and sex hormones: Pregnen (4) derivatives

ATCvet Code

QG03DA04

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

314.5

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(8S,9S,10R,13S,14S,17S)-17-acetyl-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one

CAS name

pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione

Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under

UK Poisons List Order 1972	Rotterdam Convention	Montreal Protocol
XNo The Poisons List Order 1972	XNo Rotterdam Convention	XNo Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention	OSPAR	EU Water Framework Directive
XNo Stockholm Convention	XNo OSPAR	XNo EU Water Framework Directive

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Forever chemical

Other status information

Detected in water bodies

Physical state

White powdery solid

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1929, first isolated; 1934, chemical synthesis achieved; 1950s, vet use begins

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Zoetis UK Ltd
Syn vet-Pharma Ireland Ltd

Example products using this active

CIDR Vaginal Delivery System
DIB Vaginal Delivery System

Formulation and application details

Usually formulated as intravaginal inserts

Commercial production

The commercial production of progesterone typically begins with plant-derived sterols, such as diosgenin, extracted from species like Dioscorea (wild yam). These sterols undergo chemical transformation through a multi-step process that includes oxidation, isomerisation, and side-chain cleavage, converting the plant sterol into pregnenolone, a key intermediate. Pregnenolone is then oxidised at the C3 and C20 positions to form the characteristic 3-keto-4-ene structure of progesterone. In some advanced methods, microbial biotransformation using engineered strains of Mycolicibacterium or Streptomyces is employed to enhance yield and stereoselectivity, offering a more sustainable alternative to purely chemical synthesis. The final product is purified through solvent extraction and crystallisation.,

Impact on climate of production and use

A rough estimate based on similar processes suggest 8.5 to 18.5 kg CO₂e per kg of progesterone produced is emitted. This takes into account raw material extraction, chemical synthesis & processing, purification & crystallisation, packaging & distribution. Data will vary depending on whether the process uses green chemistry principles, the energy source (renewable vs fossil fuel) as well as the geographic location and regulatory standards.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)

7.3

Low

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

121

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

7.41 X 10⁰³

Calculated

Log P

3.87

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Metabolites have been detected extensively in water bodies

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

Non-mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

8248

Notes and range

USEPA data K_oc range 1040-15000 mL g⁻¹, Soils=5

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Beneficial insects (Butterflies)

Contact

Notes

Oral

Notes

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

0.04

Oncorhynchus mykiss LOEC

Moderate

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

4.0

Danio rerio NOEC

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

26.0

Daphnia magna

Low

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Majority is absorbed by the animal. Remainder, prior to excretion in faeces, is extensively metabolized

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

No data found

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

No information available

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

Store below 30 DegC

TRANSLATIONS

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Name

English

progesterone

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Record last updated:	16/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242

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