ANALYSIS OF STEROID METABOLITES BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

Abstract

SUMMARY 1. Steroids have been chromatographed on columns coated with neopentylglycol adipate (NPGA), the fluoralkyl silicone polymer QF-1 and the methyl silicone polymer SE-30. The ΔRmg values for various functional groups have been calculated for these chromatographic systems. In particular, the relative elution properties of 3-hydroxysteroids, their acetates and their trimethylsilyl ethers, have been investigated. 2. Androsterone, its 5β-epimer and dehydroepiandrosterone can be separated as their trimethylsilyl ethers on NPGA. Using this method, these three 17-oxosteroids have been detected in human and monkey urine. 3. A system of analysis, based on ΔRmr values, has been applied to the identification of the metabolites found in human and rhesus pregnancy urine. The levels for progesterone metabolites in the urine of pregnant monkeys were found to be extremely low in comparison with those in women.