METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF PREGNANEDIOL AND PREGNANETRIOL: ESTIMATION OF URINARY EXCRETION IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND IN TEN PATIENTS WITH ADRENOCORTICAL DISORDERS*

Abstract

A new paper chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of pregnanediol and pregnanetriol is described. Results compare favorably with values obtained by other procedures. In 15 normal subjects and 4 women with hirsutism, urinary excretion of pregnanediol and pregnanetriol paralleled the excretion of 17-OH-CS and 17-KS in the basal state and following stimulation with ACTH. In some patients with adrenal dysfunction, pregnanediol and pregnanetriol excretion varied independently of 17-OH-CS and 17-KS excretion, suggesting a derangement in steroid biosynthesis. Two patients with Cushing''s syndrome caused by an adrenal adenoma showed normal pregnanediol and pregnanetriol excretion, but elevated 17-OH- CS with variable 17-KS excretion; this pattern might prove helpful in differentiating adenoma from other causes of Cushing''s syndrome.