THE URINARY EXCRETION OF 17-KETOSTEROIDS IN WOMEN DETERMINED BY THE ZIMMERMANN REACTION

Abstract

The urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroids was measured in 19 healthy women, in 29 cases of virilism, and in 6 cases of Cushing''s syndrome by a modification of the Zimmermann reaction. In the 19 normal women, the analyses were made throughout the entire cycle, 48-hr. specimens being analyzed successively. The values ranged from 1 to 16 mg./24 hrs. There was a tendency to an increase during the secretory phase and to a decrease during menstruation. The 29 cases of virilism included women with (A) regular menstrual cycles (15 cases); (B) with hypo-oligomenorrhea (9 cases), or amenor-rhea (2 cases); and (C) with pronounced virile symptoms (3 cases). The 17-ketosteroid excretion was within normal range in groups A and B. It was markedly elevated in the 3 patients with pronounced virilism (range 19.2-59 mg./24 hrs.) With few exceptions, the detns. were done only once in the 29 cases. The excretion of 17-ketosteroids was elevated in 3 of the 6 cases with Cushing''s syndrome with a range from 20 to 49 mg./24 hrs. The excretion was normal in the remainder (4-15 mg./24 hrs.).