Abstract
A micro procedure has been described for the separation of urinary 17-ketosteroids into [alpha] and [beta] components, such detns. having been reported to be of clinical significance. The value of the present method lies in its applicability to short-term urine collections (1- to 3-day), and in its direct measurements of both a and j3 fractions with a consequent avoidance of the increased exptl. error inherent in a procedure where the /3 fraction is measured by difference. In expts. on solns. of andro-sterone (an a compound) and of dehydroisoandrosterone (a [beta] compound), 94-102% of the former was recovered when 1.0 to 2.0 mg. were present, and 93-105% of the latter was recovered when 0.12-2.0 mg. were present. A preliminary report is given on the application of the method to urinary extracts from normal and pathological subjects.