are specific and preferred examples of the compounds of structure i when the side chain is saturated are for treatment purposes the novel compounds of this invention defined by formula i may be formulated for pharmaceutical applications as a solution in innocuous solvents or as an emulsion suspension or dispersion in suitable solvents or carriers or as pills tablets or any such formulations may also contain other pharmaceutically acceptable and non toxic excipients such as stabilizers anti oxidants binders coloring agents or emulsifying or taste modifying agents the compounds may be administered orally topically parenterally or transdermally the compounds are advantageously administered by injection or by intravenous infusion or suitable sterile solutions or in the form of liquid oral doses or solid doses via the alimentary canal or in the form of creams ointments patches or similar vehicles suitable for transdermal applications doses of from 0 01 u03bcg to 100 u03bcg per day preferably 0 1 u03bcg to 50 u03bcg per day of the compounds are appropriate for treatment purposes such doses being adjusted according to the disease to be treated its severity and the response of the subject as is well understood in the art since the new compounds exhibit specificity of action each may be suitably administered alone or together with graded doses of another active vitamin d compound u2014 e g 1 u03b1 hydroxyvitamin d 2 or d 3 or 1.