THE DETERMINATION OF URINARY STEROIDS. I. THE PREPARATION OF PIGMENT-FREE EXTRACTS AND A SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE FOR THE ESTIMATION OF TOTAL 17-KETOSTEROIDS

THE quantitative estimation of urinary 17-ketosteroids has been proven of value as an aid to the clinical diagnosis of disease. Its more widespread use has been hampered by the actual and assumed difficulties inherent in the chemical methods employed. In 1947, there was proposed a simple and rapid method (1), some disadvantages of which became apparent following its use in thousands of determinations. For instance, the extraction with ether is a dangerous hazard. Adequate control throughout the various manipulative steps is difficult, since mechanical equipment cannot be readily adapted to separatory funnels. The funnels are clumsy to handle and the breakage rate is high. When large numbers of determinations have to be made, a special laboratory is a prerequisite. In view of the solubility of ether in water and water in ether, a correction factor must be used for the final aliquot. Unless special precautions are taken to reduce evaporation, considerable error may result. Over and above these problems, there still remains the controversial point concerning the proper way to correct for interfering pigments commonly present in urine.