Steroid compounds having various oxygen substitution on the steroid
nucleus are disclosed. A specific functionality present on many of the
steroid compounds is oxygen substitution at both of positions 6 and 7.
Thus, certain steroids have oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, and some
have specific stereochemistries such as 6.alpha. and 7.beta. oxygen
substitution, and an alpha hydrogen at the 5 position in addition to
having 6.alpha. and 7.beta. oxygen substitution. Steroids having
3,4-epoxy functionality are also disclosed. In addition, steroids having
C17 pyran and .delta.-lactone functionality, with oxygen substitution at
C6 and C7, or at C15, of the steroid nucleus, are disclosed.