Etonogestrel molecule is a 3-ketodesogestrel or 19-nortestosterone which is a synthetic biologically active metabolite of progestin desogestrel. The first product including etonogestrel was developed by the Merck subsidiary Organon and FDA approved in 2001.
A biologically active metabolite of Desogestrel.
ChEBI: Etonogestrel is a 17beta-hydroxy steroid, a 3-oxo-Delta(4) steroid and a terminal acetylenic compound. It has a role as a contraceptive drug, a progestin and a female contraceptive drug.
Etonogestrel, 17α-13-ethyl-17hydroxy-11-methylene-18,19-dinorpregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one,3-ketodesogestrel, is the active metabolite of desogestrel. It isthe progestin component in a newer implantable contraceptive(Implanon) and in the vaginal contraceptive ring (NuvaRing).
Etonogestrel is a lipophilic molecule. Pharmacokinetics studies reveal that etonogestrel is bound to protein albumin in the blood. This remains independent of both endogenous and exogenous concentration of estradiol.
Etonogestrel binds to the cytoplasmic progesterone receptors in the reproductive system and subsequently activates progesterone receptor mediated gene expression. As a result of the negative feedback mechanism, luteinizing hormone (LH) release is inhibited, which leads to an inhibition of ovulation and an alteration in the cervical mucus and endometrium.
