THE ESTIMATION OF POLAR STEROIDS IN LIQUOR AMNII

Abstract

SUMMARY 6β-Hydroxycortisol (Compound 1), 6β,17α,20β,21-tetrahydroxypregn-4-ene-3,11-dione (Compound 3), and 6β,11β,17α,20β,21-pentahydroxy-pregn-4-en-3-one (Compound 4) were determined in liquor amnii obtained from women in the third trimester of pregnancy. The analytical method involved paper chromatography, followed by visual estimation of the fluorescence induced by treatment with sodium hydroxide. In normal pregnancy the following average values (μg./100 ml. liquor amnii) were found: Compound 1, 4·3; Compound 3, 3·1; Compound 4, 0·8. Statistically significant deviations from normal values were observed in pregnancies associated with Rhesus incompatibility, diabetes mellitus, anencephaly and idiopathic hydramnios. Explanations for these differences have been examined.