Estimation of Urinary Reducing Corticosteroids with Blue Tetrazolium

Abstract

DETERMINATION of the concentration of the corticosteroids in urine has become an increasingly important problem. A variety of methods have been proposed for their estimation, based on the reducing properties of the alpha-ketol side chain at C₁₇, on the formaldehydogenic potential of this side chain or on empiric, poorly understood color reactions of this molecular species.The most reliable method is that of Talbot and his associates,¹ which, although complicated and therefore impractical for general use, has the distinct advantage of nearly proving the main structural features of the corticosteroids in each determination. The steps of the procedure . . .