The quantitative determination and identification of pregnane-3α:20α-diol in the urine of the pregnant rabbit

Abstract

As little as 0.25 mg. of pregnanediol can be detd. with a satisfactory degree of accuracy in half of a 24-hr, specimen of rabbit urine. By this procedure the excretion of pregnanediol in the urine of pregnant rabbits has been detected and studied quantitatively. Immediately after mating a transient excretion of pregnanediol lasting for 1-3 days occurs. This is followed at about the 8th to 10th day of pregnancy by a prolonged excretion of pregnanediol which is maintained until just before parturition. The pregnanediol excreted immediately after mating and that excreted later in pregnancy in the rabbit have been isolated and identified as pregnane-3 [alpha], 20 [alpha]-diol.