Identification and measurement of 4-oestren-3,17-dione (19-norandrostenedione) in porcine ovarian follicular fluid using high performance liquid chromatography and capillary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Abstract

4-Oestren-3,17-dione (19-norandrostenedione) has been identified as a major steroid in porcine ovarian follicular fluid for the first time. This steroid was isolated by C₁₈ reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and its structure was established unambiguously by capillary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The mean concentration in pooled fluid obtained from prepubertal gilts determined by HPLC and capillary gas chromatography was 1·71 μmol/l. The level of this steroid in fluid obtained from large preovulatory follicles of sows exceeded 21·0 μmol/l on days 19 and 20 of the oestrous cycle. The high levels of this steroid within the follicle during the follicular phase might imply a possible biological role in follicular development and oocyte maturation. J. Endocr. (1985) 107, 375–381