Steroids of the androstane series having a 3.alpha.-hydroxy group, a 3.beta.-hydrogen or methyl group; a 10-hydrogen atom or methyl group, an 11-oxo group or two hydrogen atoms at the 11-position, a 17.alpha.-hydrogen atom, and a group at the 17.beta.-position which is esterified carboxyl group, an N-mono or di-substituted carbamoyl group, a cyano group, a formyl group or an acetalised formyl group; and the 3.alpha.-esters thereof. The steroids possess anaesthetic properties.