OESTROGENIC, ANDROGENIC AND GONADOTROPHIC SUBSTANCES IN THE URINE OF NORMAL WOMEN

Abstract

Data on the urinary excretion of estrogenic, androgenic and gonadotrophic substances in 360 normal females varying in age from 3 to 79 yrs. are presented. The detns. were made on 24-hr. urine specimens for each hormone. The gonadotrophic extract was prepared according to Levin and Tyndale and assayed on infantile female rats, 26-28 days old. The quantity of extract which pro -duced an avg, tripling of the uterine wt. with its fluid was regarded as 1 R.U. The androgenic and estrogenic fractions were obtained according to Dingemanse et al. The amt. of androgenic material was detd. biologically, and 1 unit was defined as 400 times the quantity of hormone which, when applied over 4 days to the comb, produced a 20% increase in the comb area. The estrogenic substances were assayed in 3 to 6 spayed mice per dose. 1 M.U. was defined as the amt. which would produce complete cornification in 60 to 70% of the mice. 672 detns. were made for gonadotrophins. The individual data were charted showing a daily variation in urinary excretion of less than 3 R.U. between the ages of 3 and 12. The output then rose, reaching its first max. of 15 R.U. at the avg. age of 16 (spread 1-15 R.U.). Thereafter the excretion fell to 9 R.U. and remained there from 20 to about 35 yrs. of age. Then a 2d rise occurred, reaching an avg. of 65 R.U. at the end of the 6th decade (spread 5-360 R.U.). There was some indication of a slowly progressive fall thereafter, although the no. of cases was small. It is noteworthy that an increased output of gonadotrophin was obtained in 84% of the post-menopausal women when compared with menstruating women although low values were obtained occasionally in the former. 672 detns. of estrogenic substances were made. The excretion amounted up to 3 M.U. per 24 hrs. in the age range of 3 to 12 yrs. Thereafter a steep increase occurred between the ages of 20 and 40 with an avg. excretion of 70-80 M.U. (spread 20-200 M.U.). This was followed by a progressive fall so that after 52 yrs., all values were below 25 M.U., and, after 60 yrs., values of 8 M.U. or less per day were the usual findings. 271 detns. were made for androgenic material. With few exceptions, the output was between 4 and 25 capon units within the age range of 20 to 40 yrs., the max. excretion being found at about 30 yrs. Before the age of 12 and after the 60th yr., the output amounted to only a few capon units.