The Daily Variation in 17-Ketosteroid Excretion of Men and Women

Abstract

The entire urinary output of each of 2 , and a , all medically normal, was studied, in 48 hr. batches over a 2 month''s period, for urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion (Zimmermann). The total fraction was separated by Girard''s reagent T into ketonic or hormonal, and non-ketonic or non-hormonal, fractions. The daily variation in output of 17-ketosteroids is due to a fluctuation in the true hormonal content of the urine and indicates that several detns. on different specimens are necessary before judging whether a significant deviation from normal has occurred. The use of the ratio of extinction coefficients, Eg/Ev, makes a chemical separation unnecessary when this ratio is within the limits defined by Callow.