Integration of GC-MSD and ER-Calux® assay into a single protocol for determining steroid estrogens in environmental samples

There are many published studies that use either chemical or biological methods to investigate steroid estrogens in the aquatic environment, but rarer are those that combine both. In this study, gas chromatography with mass selective detection (GC-MSD) and the ER-Calux(®) estrogenicity assay were integrated into a single protocol for simultaneous determination of natural (estrone--E1, 17β-estradiol--E2, estriol--E3) and synthetic (17α-ethinylestradiol--EE2) steroid estrogens concentrations and the total estrogenic potential of environmental samples. For integration purposes, several solvents were investigated and the commonly used dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) in the ER-Calux(®) assay was replaced by ethyl acetate, which is more compatible with gas chromatography and enables the same sample to be analysed by both GC-MSD and the ER-Calux(®) assay. The integrated protocol was initially tested using a standard mixture of estrogens. The results for pure standards showed that the estrogenicity calculated on the basis of GC-MSD and the ER-Calux(®) assay exhibited good correlation (r(2)=0.96; α=0.94). The result remained the same when spiked waste water extracts were tested (r(2)=0.92, α=1.02). When applied to real waste water influent and effluent samples the results proved (r(2)=0.93; α=0.99) the applicability of the protocol. The main advantages of this newly developed protocol are simple sample handling for both methods, and reduced material consumption and labour. In addition, it can be applied as either a complete or sequential analysis where the ER-Calux(®) assay is used as a pre-screening method prior to the chemical analysis.

Hormone discharges from a midwest tile-drained agroecosystem receiving animal wastes

Manure is increasingly being viewed as a threat to aquatic ecosystems due to the introduction of natural and synthetic hormones from land application to agricultural fields. In the Midwestern United States, where most agricultural fields are tile-drained, there is little known about hormone release from fields receiving animal wastes. To this end, seven sampling stations (four in subsurface tile drains and three in the receiving ditch network) were installed at a Midwest farm where various types of animal wastes (beef, dairy, and poultry lagoon effluent, dairy solids, and subsurface injection of swine manure) are applied to agricultural fields. Water flow was continuously monitored and samples were collected for hormone analysis during storm events and baseline flow for a 15 month study period. The compounds analyzed included the natural hormones 17α- and 17β-estradiol, estrone, estriol, testosterone, and androstenedione and the synthetic androgens 17α- and 17β-trenbolone and trendione. Hormones were detected in at least 64% of the samples collected at each station, with estrone being detected the most frequently and estriol the least. Testosterone and androstendione were detected more frequently than synthetic androgens, which were detected in fewer than 15% of samples. Hormone concentrations in subsurface tile drains increased during effluent irrigation and storm events. Hormones also appeared to persist over the winter, with increased concentrations coinciding with early thaws and snowmelt from fields amended with manure solids. The highest concentration of synthetic androgens (168 ng/L) observed coincided with a snowmelt. The highest concentrations of hormones in the ditch waters (87 ng/L for total estrogens and 52 ng/L for natural androgens) were observed in June, which coincides with the early life stage development period of many aquatic species in the Midwest.

[Study of Raman technique applied to estrogen]

The authors acquired Raman spectra of three kinds of estrogen by portable Raman spectrometer, including 17beta-estradiol (C18H24O2), estriol (C18H24O3 ) and diethylstilbestrol (18H20O2 ). Analysis, comparison and simulation of the three estrogens were carried out, and the diethylstilbestrol Raman spectrum, which is hard to detect, was acquiredt by surface enhanced Raman scattering technology. Results show that Raman technique can detect 17beta-estradiol (C18H24O2), estriol (C18H24O3) and diethylstilbestrol (C18H2O2) quickly and accurately.

Identification of estrogen receptor agonists in sediments from Wenyu River, Beijing, China

Assignment of ecological impacts of contamination to specific classes of contaminants is a prerequisite for risk assessment and remediation. In this study, the combination of polarity-based fractionation, two-hybrid yeast bioassay, and chemical analysis were used to evaluate and identify estrogen receptor agonists (ER-agonists) in sediments from Wenyu River, Beijing, China. By bioassay, organic raw sediment extracts could induce significant estrogenicity and the bioassay-derived 17β-estradiol equivalents (EEQs) of raw extracts (EEQ(raw)s) ranged from 0.8 to 19.8 ng/g dry weight. By polarity-based fractionation, the raw extracts were separated into three fractions, i.e. non-polar, moderately polar, and polar fractions, which were subjected to bioassay and chemical analysis. The highest estrogenicity was observed in the polar fraction, which accounted for more than 78% of the total. The medium polar fraction contains PAHs and OCPs, and the estrogenic activities in this fraction contributed 3%-12% of the total in raw extract. An estrogenic activity of non-polarity fraction was negligible in compare to other two fractions. By chemical analysis and toxic equivalent calculation, major part of the estrogenicity in polar fraction could be attributed to six natural/synthetic estrogens (16%-63%), i.e. 17β-estradiol, estrone, estriol, 17α-ethynylestradiol, diethylstilbestrol, and β-estradiol-17-valerate, and to nonylphenols (26%-55%). The proposed approach has been successfully used for characterization of ER-agonists in this case study.

Estrogen pollution in a highly productive ecosystem off central-south Chile

While the presence of steroid estrogens in the environment has become a major environmental and health concern, their occurrence in coastal sediments remains poorly characterized. In this study, we measured the levels of three natural (estrone, 17β-estradiol, estriol) and one synthetic (17α-ethinylestradiol) estrogens in 54 coastal sediment samples collected from nine locations off central-southern Chile. Steroid estrogens were found in every sample. Remarkably high levels of 17α-ethinylestradiol were detected, reaching up to 48.14 ng/g dry weight. As a result, the global estrogenic loads were estimated to be high at all sites. Interestingly, they were found to correlate with the size of human populations served by sewage plants. Our study indicates that 17α-ethinylestradiol may accumulate in coastal sediments. The possible impact of this highly potent synthetic estrogen on the biota of the marine ecosystem off central-south Chile and on human health remains an open question.

The arrival and discharge of conjugated estrogens from a range of different sewage treatment plants in the UK

The occurrence of free and conjugated estrogens was examined in a survey of eleven sewage treatment plants (STPs) and their discharge water in the United Kingdom using grab sampling. The STPs included trickling filter with and without tertiary treatment, and activated sludge with tertiary treatment. For three activated sludge plants both influent and effluent samples were compared. For a further 8STPs only the effluent was examined. The estrone-3-sulphate, estradiol-3-sulphate and estriol-3-sulphate concentrations (up to 20 ng L(-1)) were typically 5-fold that of the respective free estrogen concentration in the effluents. This represents a substantial additional 'potential' estrogen load arriving in the receiving waters. Estrone-3-glucuronide was found at 9 ng L(-1), estradiol-3-glucuronide at 7 ng L(-1), and estriol-3-glucuronide at 32 ng L(-1) in sewage influent. Except on one occasion, no glucuronide conjugates could be found in the effluent. The results suggest in most cases glucuronide conjugates will be completely transformed in sewage treatment whilst sulphate conjugates will only be partially removed.

Removal of estrogens through water disinfection processes and formation of by-products

Estrogens constitute a recognized group of environmental emerging contaminants which have been proven to induce estrogenic effects in aquatic organisms exposed to them. Low removal efficiency in wastewater treatment plants results in the presence of this type of contaminants in surface waters and also even in finished drinking water. This manuscript reviews the environmental occurrence of natural (estrone, estradiol and estriol) and synthetic (ethynyl estradiol) estrogens in different water matrices (waste, surface, ground and drinking water), and their removal mainly via chemical oxidative processes. Oxidative treatments have been observed to be very efficient in eliminating estrogens present in water; however, disinfection by-products (DBPs) are generated during the process. Characterization of these DBPs is essential to assess the risk that drinking water may potentially pose to human health since these DBPs may also have endocrine disrupting properties. This manuscript reviews the DBPs generated during oxidative processes identified so far in the literature and the estrogenicity generated by the characterized DBPs and/or by the applied disinfection technology.

Abiotic transformation of estrogens in synthetic municipal wastewater: an alternative for treatment?

The abiotic transformation of estrogens, including estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and ethinylestradiol (EE2), in the presence of model vegetable matter was confirmed in this study. Batch experiments were performed to model the catalytic conversion of E1, E2, E3 and EE2 in synthetic wastewater. Greater than 80% reduction in the parent compounds was achieved for each target chemical after 72h with the remaining concentration distributed between aqueous and solid phases as follows: 13% and 7% for E1, 10% and 2% for E2, 6% and 2% for E3, and 8% and 3% for EE2, respectively. Testosterone, androstenedione and progesterone were also monitored in this study, and their concentrations were found to be in agreement with initially spiked amount. Data collected under laboratory conditions provided the basis for implementing new abiotic wastewater treatment technologies that use inexpensive materials.

Occurrence of estrogens in sewage sludge and their fate during plant-scale anaerobic digestion

Estrogens, which contribute greatly to the endocrine-disrupting activity in sewage, are partially sorbed onto particulate matter during sewage treatment. We thus investigated the occurrence of estrogens in different kinds of sludge and throughout a plant-scale anaerobic digestion process. The analytical method was first validated when sorption interaction between spiked estrogens and sludge could occur. Hence, the recovery ratio of estrone (E1), 17beta-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) were determined when added to liquid sludge and mixed under various conditions. We show that minor non-extractable residues were formed (5-10%), suggesting that the sorption interaction established with sludge did not limit estrogen extraction. Estrogen concentrations measured in collected samples varied with sludge type. Secondary sludge showed higher E1 contents than primary sludge: respectively, 43 and 8 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw). Two pathways of E1 production during secondary treatment are proposed to explain such a result. Higher estrogen concentrations were found in secondary sludge from a conventional plant (55 ng g(-1)dw) compared to those from an advanced plant (13 ng g(-1)dw). Based on estimated estrogen concentrations in sewage, we conclude that operating parameters play a role in the sorption of estrogens during secondary treatment. Also, the hydrophobic properties of the estrogens influenced the individual adsorption of each molecule. Thus, E3 showed the highest estimated concentrations in sewage but very low concentrations in sludge. Finally, plant-scale anaerobic digestion showed low efficiency (<40%) for removing estrogens and, regarding the final dewatering process, concentrations increased for E2 and EE2.

Development of competitive ELISAs for 17beta-estradiol and 17beta-estradiol +estrone+estriol using rabbit polyclonal antibodies

Estrogens are a family of feminizing hormones that are excreted by vertebrates. It has been documented that their presence in surface waters, even in the ng/L range, can have detrimental impacts on fish reproduction. Two competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using rabbit polyclonal antibodies were developed: one for 17beta-estradiol and a second one for 17beta-estradiol (E2)+estrone (E1)+estriol (E3). Two different conjugates were synthesized using the Mixed-anhydride (for the 17beta-estradiol ELISA) and the Mannich (for the E1 + E2 + E3 ELISA) reactions. The 17beta-estradiol ELISA was highly specific with an IC(50) of 243 ng/mL for 17beta-estradiol. The E1 + E2 + E3 ELISA exhibited cross-reactivity with estrone (85%) and estriol (62%) with an IC(50) of 18 ng/mL for 17beta-estradiol. Cross-reactivity was tested against 13 chemically related compounds and both immunoassays showed significant cross-reactivity with two estradiol conjugates: beta estradiol-17-valerate and beta estradiol-3-benzoate (from 57 to 84 %) for which, to our knowledge, there are currently no commercially available ELISA. Characteristics (sensitivity, inter and intra assay variation, and cross-reactivity) of the E1 + E2 + E3 ELISA were further compared to those from a commercial Estriol ELISA. The commercial ELISA was more specific, sensitive and its inter-assay variation was less (9.5% compared to 10% for the E1 + E2 + E3 ELISA) but the E1 + E2 + E3 ELISA had less intra-assay variation (4% compared to 5% for the commercial ELISA). Finally, a solid-phase extraction method compatible with the E1 + E2 + E3 immunoassay demonstrated that this combined approach of extraction and immunoassay had good potential for determining estrogen concentrations in environmental samples such as surface water in urban and agricultural ecosystems.

Fate and levels of steroid oestrogens and androgens in waste stabilisation ponds: quantification by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The capacity for removing wastewater-borne endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) was investigated for two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) incorporating waste stabilisation ponds (WSPs) as the principal treatment technology. Samples were analysed for a number of steroidal oestrogens and androgens using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Removal efficiency for steroid androgens was high for both WWTPs (93-100%) but WSP treatment was observed to be less effective for removing steroid oestrogens, particularly oestriol.

Rapid determination of free and conjugated estrogen in different water matrices by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

This article describes the development of a short pre-treatment method that allows the simultaneous analysis of free estrogens (estrone, 17beta-estradiol, estriol and 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol) and their sulphate and glucuronide conjugated forms. For a range of matrices, from sewage effluent to river water, the developed methodology based on solid-phase extraction and fractionation technique with ultra-performance liquid chromatography system showed effective separation of the targeted estrogens. The detection limits of this method ranged from 0.2 to 0.8 ng L(-1) for river water. The recoveries for river water and sewage effluent varied from 63% to 127%. The problems of matrix effects and ion suppression or enhancement were allowed quantitatively for in the analysis using standard addition. The developed method was used successfully to detect estrogens and their conjugates in both raw and treated wastewater, and river water at a location in Japan. High concentrations of the free estrogens estrone, 17beta-estradiol and estriol were found in the influent (22.6, 77.2, 64.6 ng L(-1), respectively) but only E1 was still present at a high concentration in the effluent which was reflected in the downstream river concentration. Estrone-3-sulphate was detected up to 18.0 ng L(-1) in influent water sample and 1.1 ng L(-1) in downstream water. For the sulphate conjugates, removal efficiencies varied from 35 to 88%. Glucuronide conjugates were detected only once in the sewage influent.

Sensitive determination of estriol-16-glucuronide using surface plasmon resonance sensing

For the quantitative evaluation of low levels of an estriol metabolite of estriol (estriol-16-glucuronide (E3-16G)) in liquid media, we developed a simple and highly sensitive immunoassay using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor which did not require any time-consuming sample pretreatment steps. E3-16G was conjugated to ovalbumin (OVA) through an oligoethylene glycol (OEG) linker to form protein conjugates (E3-16G-OEG-OVA), which were then immobilized on a carboxymethyl dextran-coated sensor chip via amine coupling to develop inhibition immunoassays. A limit of detection (LOD) of 76 pg/mL was achieved using a rabbit anti-sheep primary antibody as a binding agent. The detection limit was further improved by using synthesized gold colloids (15 nm) as high mass labels conjugated to the primary antibody. In this Au nanoparticle-enhanced assay, the concentration of E3-16G in aqueous samples could be determined in 7.5 min at a level as low as 14 pg/mL. In addition, the high stability of the E3-16G-OEG-OVA surface gave no obvious drop in antibody-binding capability after more than 1000 binding/regeneration cycles which significantly lowered the research cost.

Determination of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the liquid and solid phases of activated sludge by solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The highly complex matrix of activated sludge in sewage treatment plants (STPs) makes it difficult to detect endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which are usually present at low concentration levels. To date, no literature has reported the concentrations of steroid estrogens in activated sludge in China and very limited data are available worldwide. In this work, a highly selective and sensitive analytical method was developed for simultaneous determination of two classes of EDCs, including estrone (E1), 17beta-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2), 4-nonylphenol (NP) and bisphenol A (BPA), in the liquid and solid phases of activated sludge. The procedures for sample preparation, extracts derivatization, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) quantification were all optimized to effectively determine target EDCs while minimizing matrix interference. The developed method showed good calibration linearity, recovery, precision, and a low limit of quantification (LOQ) for all selected EDCs in both liquid and solid phases of activated sludge. It was successfully applied to determine the concentrations of EDCs in activated sludge samples from two STPs located in Beijing and Shanghai of China, respectively.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of estradiol, estriol, estrone, and progesterone in pharmaceutical preparations

Progesterone and estrogens are hormones produced in the human body that are essential for regulating many vital functions. The three major estrogens produced by women are estriol, estradiol, and estrone. Progesterone is a naturally occurring hormone in both men and women. Pharmaceuticals containing estrogens alone or estrogens in combination with progesterone are commonly used in therapy. Patients requiring unique combinations of the drugs rely on pharmacies to compound the ingredients. In order to assess the potency of drugs containing combinations of estrogens and progesterone, a method was developed to determine all four ingredients simultaneously. The liquid chromatographic method utilized a microBondapak C18 column with an isocratic mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (50 + 50, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and temperature of 30 degrees C. Under these conditions, the order of elution was estriol, estradiol, and estrone, followed by progesterone. UV detection was at 205 nm to monitor elution of the estrogens, then switched to 270 nm to monitor progesterone. The method was applied to the analysis of pharmacy-compounded drugs containing combinations of the hormones. Validation studies demonstrated that the method is accurate and precise.

[Priority analysis for controlling endocrine disrupting chemicals in municipal wastewater treatment plants of China]

Ecological risk quotients and estradiol equivalent concentrations of 32 endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in 4 categories were calculated and analyzed using reported concentrations in secondary effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants in China, considering both extreme scenario for maximum concentration and moderate scenario for median concentration. These EDCs include industrial chemicals, pesticides, natural estrogens, and pharmaceuticals. In extreme scenario, 12 chemicals of ecological risk and 9 chemicals of estrogenicity were identified. While in moderate scenario, 6 chemicals of ecological risk and 5 chemicals of estrogenicity were identified. After further scoring and ranking, 4 priority EDCs have been suggested for control in municipal wastewater treatment plants in China, including 17a-ethynylestradiol, estrone, nonylphenol, and bisphenol A.

Salivary progesterone and estriol among pregnant women treated with 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate or placebo

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of the study was to determine whether salivary progesterone (P) or estriol (E3) concentration at 16-20 weeks' gestation predicts preterm birth or the response to 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHPC) and whether 17OHPC treatment affected the trajectory of salivary P and E3 as pregnancy progressed.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a secondary analysis of a clinical trial of 17OHPC to prevent preterm birth. Baseline saliva was assayed for P and E3. Weekly salivary samples were obtained from 40 women who received 17OHPC and 40 who received placebo in a multicenter randomized trial of 17OHPC to prevent recurrent preterm delivery.

RESULTS

Both low and high baseline saliva P and E3 were associated with a slightly increased risk of preterm birth. However, 17OHPC prevented preterm birth comparably, regardless of baseline salivary hormone concentrations. 17OHPC did not alter the trajectory of salivary P over pregnancy, but it significantly blunted the rise in salivary E3 as well as the rise in the E3/P ratio.

CONCLUSION

17OHPC flattened the trajectory of E3 in the second half of pregnancy, suggesting that the drug influences the fetoplacental unit.

Removal of endocrine-disrupting chemicals during ozonation of municipal sewage with brominated byproducts control

The decomposition of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) including estrone (E1), 17beta-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), nonylphenol (NP), and bisphenol A (BPA) during ozonation of municipal sewage grabbed from the outlets of primary sedimentation tanks was studied through laboratory-scale experiments. A newly developed in vitro bioassay called nuclear receptor-ligand assay and GC-MS were both utilized to respectively determine the estrogenicity and individual EDCs in the wastewater samples. The original estrogenicity, expressed as the E2 equivalent concentration (EEQC), in the primary effluents was 315-1018 ng/L. Results indicate that the EEQC can be reduced rapidly to below 10 ng/L after ozonation. The appearance of 0.1 mg/L dissolved ozone (DO3), which corresponds to a consumed ozone amount of 0.4 mg per initial TOC (total organic carbon) of wastewater samples, was an appropriate operational parameter to simultaneously achieve efficient EDC removal and control of BrO3- and total organic bromine (TOBr). The presence of suspended solids in the range of 38-67 mg/L exhibited no obvious impact on the removal of nonsorbed estrogenicity. A complete decomposition of E2, E3 and BPA was achieved once 0.1 mg/L DO3 appeared in the primary effluent. The oxidative decomposition of NP was relatively less efficient with a residual concentration of 100 ng/L. This work investigates the feasibility of EDC removal and brominated byproduct control during ozonation of original municipal sewage prior to biological treatment.

Rapid detection of selected steroid hormones from sewage effluents using an ELISA in the Kuils River water catchment area, South Africa

Steroid hormones are naturally synthesized by both humans and animals and are released into the environment. Significant levels of steroid hormones have been detected in sewage effluent around the world. The potential problem is that these hormones may interfere with the normal function of the endocrine systems, thus affecting reproduction and development in wildlife. Due to the major shortage of water in Western Cape, South Africa there is a great need to recycle water by either direct or indirect methods. The treated sewage effluent-natural surface water mixture found in the Kuils and Eerste Rivers is used directly for irrigation of agricultural areas. Sewage effluents were collected from four sites (Jonkershoek, Belville, Zandvliet, and Macassar) and subjected to C(18) solid phase extraction. Commercially available rapid ELISA kits were validated for the quantification of estrogens in these sewage effluent samples. Analysis of estrone, estradiol, and estriol levels showed a significant difference between the control site (Jonkershoek) and sewage effluent from the three sewage treatment works. Steroid hormone concentrations detected in these sewage effluents were similar to reports from Britain, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Netherlands.

Experience on triple markers serum screening for Down's syndrome fetus in Hat Yai, Regional Hospital

OBJECTIVES

To summarize the experience and evaluate the performance of the Hat Yai maternal serum screening (MSS) program.

SETTING

The Hat Yai MSS program between 16 February 2003 and 11 March 2004.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The uptake of screening was 999 in 1,040 women (96.0%), between 14 to 20 weeks of gestation with the triple markers: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), and unconjugated Estriol (uE3) by Immulite chemiluminescent immunoassay system, Diagnostic Product Corporation (DPC). The risk cut-off for Down 's syndrome is one in 250 or greater, based on software for prenatal Down's syndrome risk calculation, by Prisca 3.5 DPC.

RESULTS

There were 119 in 999 cases (11.9%) of the triple test positive. Amniocentesis had been performed on voluntary basis, and the uptake rate of amniocentesis following a positive Down's syndrome screening was 104 in 119 cases (87.3%). Based on clinical diagnosis of Down's syndrome in the newborns of non-amniocentesis mothers, assuming that normal looking babies were not Down's syndrome, the sensitivity (SENS), specificity (SPEC), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of all chromosomal abnormalities were 85.7%, 88.6%, 5.0%, and 99.8% respectively. The false positive rate was 113 in 992 cases (11.4%). Whereas, the SENS, SPEC, PPV and NPV of Down's syndrome were 100%, 88.4%, 3.4%, and 100% respectively. The false positive rate was 115 in 995 cases (11.6%). The mean level, median level, and multiple of median (MoM) of triple markers were demonstrated.

CONCLUSION

The Down's syndrome screening is a systematic application of a test to identify subjects at increased risk of a specific disorder; of course it is not diagnostic, but to benefit making decision regarding further amniocentesis. The sensitivity of Prisca 3.5 software was satisfactory but false positive rate was remarkably high. It needs further standardization with adjusted MoM values.

[Using ultra performance liquid chromatography]

An analytical method based on ultra performance liquid chromatography has been developed for the simultaneous determination of 15 hormones (triamcinolone, hydrocortisone, prednisone, cortisone, 6a-methylprednisolone, betamethasone, dexamethasone, prednisolone acetate, hydrocortisone acetate, estriol, beta-estradiol, estrone, diethylstilbestrol, testosterone and progesterone) in cosmetics. Various cosmetic samples were extracted with methanol under ultrasonication, and then cleaned up by a Oasis HLB solid phase extraction cartridge. The 15 hormones were separated and detected within 6 min on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (1.7 microm, 2.1 mm x 50 mm) by gradient elution with acetonitrile and water system. In the range of 1-25 ng, the calibration curves of 15 hormones showed good linearity with the correlation coefficients larger than 0.9995. The mean recoveries at the three spiked levels (2, 10, 20 mg/kg) were 88.2%-102.4% with the relative standard deviations of 1.6%-7.4%.

Microwave-accelerated derivatization for the simultaneous gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of natural and synthetic estrogenic steroids

A rapid microwave-accelerated derivatization process for the GC-MS analysis of steroid estrogens, estrone (E1), 17beta-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2) and mestranol (MeEE2), was developed. Under microwave irradiation, the five estrogenic hormones studied were simultaneously derivatized with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA)+trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) in pyridine solution. Effects of irradiation time (15-120 s) and power level (240-800 W) on the yield of the derivatization were investigated. The derivatization under the irradiation of 800 W microwave for 60s produced comparable results when compared with the conventional heating process in a sand bath for 30 min at 80 degrees C in terms of derivatization yield, linearity and precision for all steroid hormones tested. The calibration curves are linear between 3.00 and 3.00 x 10(2) microg mL(-1). The square of the regression coefficients (R(2)) range from 0.979 to 1.000. The applicability of the method was evaluated on spiked river and distilled water samples at two concentrations, 25.0 and 2.00 x 10(2) ng mL(-1). The recoveries obtained by using microwave heating (60s, 800 W) were similar to those by conventional heating. When combined solid-phase extraction (SPE) with the application of the microwave-accelerated derivatization proposed here, the detection limits of 0.02-0.1 ng L(-1) for the steroid hormones have been achieved. The results demonstrated that microwave-accelerated derivatization is an efficient and suitable sample preparation method for the GC-MS analysis of estrogenic steroids.

Maternal hormone levels and perinatal characteristics: implications for testicular cancer

PURPOSE

It was hypothesized that the risk for testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) is associated with maternal hormone levels. To examine the hypothesis, some studies used perinatal factors as surrogates for hormone levels. To determine the validity of this assumption, hormone-perinatal factor relationships were examined in the Collaborative Perinatal Project.

METHODS

Maternal estradiol, estriol, and testosterone levels in first- and third-trimester serum samples were correlated with perinatal factors in 300 mothers representative of populations at high (white Americans) or low (black Americans) risk for TGCT.

RESULTS

For white participants, testosterone levels were associated negatively with maternal height (p < 0.01) and age (p = 0.02) and positively with maternal weight (p = 0.02) and body mass index (BMI; p < 0.01), whereas estradiol levels were associated negatively with height (p = 0.03) and positively with son's birth weight (p = 0.04). For black participants, estriol levels were associated negatively with maternal weight (p = 0.01), BMI (p = 0.02), and gestational age p < 0.01) and positively with son's birth weight (p < 0.01), length (p = 0.04), and head circumference (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that use of perinatal characteristics as surrogates for hormone levels should be limited to a specific ethnic group. For white men, previously reported associations of TGCT with maternal weight and age may be caused by lower maternal testosterone levels.