THE EXCRETION OF INDIVIDUAL ADRENOCORTICAL STEROIDS DURING NORMAL CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE

Abstract

ABSTRACT The excretion of 7 individual 17-oxosteroids and 7 individual corticosteroids in 24 h urine samples from 62 normal infants, children and adolescents, based on an accurate and specific paper chromatographic method for their separation and quantitation, is reported. The excretion of the 11-deoxy-17-oxosteroids gradually increases from 7 years of age and the increase becomes more rapid 2 or 3 years before the clinical signs of puberty appear. The rise continues throughout puberty and beyond it until the adult level is reached. The increase far exceeds that which would be accounted for by the growth of the individual. The increase in the excretion of the 11-oxy-17-oxosteroids with age is much more gradual. Androgens favour the formation of 5α metabolites and the 5α:5β ratio of the total 5α 17-oxosteroids and the total 5β 17-oxosteroids shows a statistically significant increase with age. In addition, a relatively high 5α:5β ratio is noted in male infants, which is likely to be related to their relatively high plasma testosterone levels. The excretion of the 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and the α-ketolic metabolites of cortisol gradually rises with age and correlates with body weight. The α-ketolic metabolites of corticosterone are relatively high in infancy, but after the age of 4 years their excretion also correlates with body weight. An increase in the 5α:5β ratio of allo-THF to THF is noted at puberty similar to that found with the 5α:5β ratios of the 17-oxosteroids.