Abstract
A method for column chromatography of urinary 17-ketosteroids was described which involved repeated use of the same column of aluminum oxide, a simple automatic feeding system for the elution fluid, a rapid percolation of the fluid through the column by means of the fluid weight only, and the "tipping glass" system for separation of fractions. Urine extracts were obtained by means of simultaneous acid hydrolysis and extraction with benzene. Four peaks were obtained: the 1st peak contained various unidentified steroids; the 2d consisted mainly of dehydroisoandrosterone; the 3rd of androsterone and the 4th etiocholanolone. The 11-oxy-17-KS were not eluted from the column. Since the running time is only one hour and only 33 fractions are collected, it is possible to use the method as a routine procedure.