5α and 5β cholestane, ergostane, stigmastane, hopane, etc., as well as 4-methyl-5β-stigmastane have been identified in an Tertiary oil shale sample from the oil field in North China, using cappillary gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer. The resalts show that steroids occur in large amounts and a great variety, which thus provides an indication of their origination probably from higher plant debris.
