Markers Synthesis of Progesteron

 The synthesis of progesterone, a vital hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis, can be linked to the work of Russell Earl Marker in the early 20th century. His groundbreaking contribution to progesterone synthesis came through a process known as the Marker degradation, which significantly impacted steroid chemistry and paved the way for affordable progesterone production. Here’s how this process works:

Background:

Progesterone is a steroid hormone synthesized naturally in the human body from cholesterol. However, industrial synthesis posed challenges in terms of cost and complexity. In the 1930s and 1940s, producing large quantities of progesterone was expensive and inefficient due to the reliance on animal sources, which yielded small amounts.

Marker’s Discovery:

Marker, an American chemist, discovered that plants contained compounds similar to steroids that could serve as precursors to progesterone. His breakthrough came with diosgenin, a steroidal sapogenin found in Mexican yams (specifically, the species Dioscorea). He developed a method to chemically convert diosgenin into progesterone.

The Marker Degradation:

The Marker degradation refers to the chemical process by which diosgenin (a sapogenin) is converted into progesterone. The process involves several steps, including oxidation and rearrangement reactions, which break down the diosgenin molecule and reform it into progesterone. The key steps are:

1. Oxidation: The diosgenin molecule undergoes oxidation at specific carbon atoms.
2. Cleavage: The side chain of the diosgenin is cleaved off, allowing for the rearrangement of the molecule.
3. Conversion to Progesterone: The resulting intermediate is converted into progesterone through further chemical modifications.

Impact:

Marker’s discovery drastically reduced the cost of progesterone production and led to the commercial availability of progesterone for medical uses. This synthesis method opened the door to the development of oral contraceptives and treatments for hormone-related disorders, fundamentally transforming reproductive medicine.

Marker’s work in Mexico ultimately led to the establishment of the steroid hormone industry, with companies like Syntex, which became central to the mass production of progesterone and other hormones.

In summary, Marker’s synthesis of progesterone from plant sources revolutionized steroid chemistry, leading to affordable production and numerous medical advancements.