CLINICAL METHOD FOR THE CHROMATOGRAPHICCOLORIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF URINARY 17-KETOSTEROIDS. II. NORMAL ADULTS

Abstract

IN 1946 (1) we published in this Journal a method for the determination of individual 17-ketosteroids in. the daily output of urine. Since then many hundred analyses have been made by this method, for clinical purposes. It goes without saying that during this period improvements in the method have been introduced from time to time. We, therefore, think it desirable to publish a new description of the procedure, in its definitive form. In this article we shall also discuss the results of analysis of the urine of a number of normal men and women. These figures have been worked up statistically and serve for the definition of the normal 17-ketosteroid pattern. Part of the 72-hour urine sample (A)1 (1 to 1.5 liters) is rendered neutral by addition of hydrochloric acid (if necessary); after addition of ⅓ volume of benzene (C.P.) it is heated under reflux on a steam bath for five hours (B).1 This procedure is repeated once or twice. The benzene extracts are bulked and evaporated, after which the residue is dissolved in 10 ml. of ethanol.