A METHOD FOR THE FRACTIONATION AND MEASUREMENT OF 17-KETOSTEROIDS IN HUMAN PLASMA*

Abstract

A method was devised for the measurement of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and androsterone in human plasma. The technique consists of the following steps: (1) ethanol extraction of 25 ml of plasma; (2) evaporation of ethanol extract and solution of the residue in water; (3) continuous extraction with ether at pH 0.8 for 48 hours; (4) washing of the ether extract with sodium bicarbonate and water; (5) chromatography on Florisil columns; (6) removal of phenols with 1 [image] NaOH; (7) paper chromatography and elution of paper areas corresponding to DHA and androsterone; and (8) micro-Zimmermann reaction. In 15 normal males the average plasma level of DHA was 40.5 [mu]g and of androsterone, 18 [mu]g/ 100 ml. In 8 normal females, the levels were not significantly different.