Urinary excretion of neutral steroid glucuronides with reference to the menstrual cycle

Metabolic profiles of endogenous and ethynyl steroids in plasma and urine from women during administration of oral contraceptives

Conjugated ethynyl and endogenous steroids in plasma and urine from two women taking an oral contraceptive (Conlumin) containing 1 mg norethindrone and 50 micrograms mestranol have been analyzed by methods based on anion and ligand exchange chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Conjugated norethindrone and its reduced metabolites with 3 alpha,5 alpha, 3 alpha,5 beta, 3 beta,5 beta and 3 beta,5 alpha configurations were identified in the fluids. The quantitatively major metabolites in plasma were a disulphate of the 3 alpha,5 alpha isomer and a monosulphate of the 3 alpha,5 beta isomer. The renal clearance of the former compound was low. The major urinary metabolite of norethindrone was the 3 alpha,5 beta isomer conjugated with glucuronic or sulphuric acid. Disulphates constituted only a small portion of urinary ethynyl steroids. Metabolic profiles of endogenous neutral steroids in plasma and urine during the contraceptive cycle were compared with profiles during a physiological menstrual cycle. The concentrations of steroids in plasma during contraception were similar to those during the follicular and mid phases of the menstrual cycle, whereas levels of progesterone metabolites were higher in the luteal phase. The urinary excretion of steroids was 15-30% lower during the contraceptive cycle, due to a decrease in excretion of C21O5 steroids, 11-oxygenated androgens and etiocholanolone. The increase of urinary progesterone metabolites seen during the luteal phase was not observed during contraception, but the excretion of 5 beta-pregnane-3 alpha,20 alpha-diol glucuronide was higher than during the follicular and mid phases of the menstrual cycle.

Quantitative analysis of steroid profiles from urine by capillary gas chromatography. I. Accuracy and reproducibility of the sample preparation

A method is described for the determination of steroid profiles from urine by means of gas chromatography using high-efficiency glass capillary columns. The accuracy and reproducibility of essential steps in the sample preparation (extraction of steroids and steroid conjugates by means of XAD-2, enzymatic hydrolysis with Helix pomatia juice, solvolysis in acidified ethyl acetate and alkali wash) are established using different endogenously labelled urine samples, obtained from normal subjects to whom labelled steroids had been administered. Preliminary results are given on the reproducibility of the derivatization procedure (formation of methoxime-trimethylsilyl (MO-TMS) ethers), the gas chromatographic analysis and the whole method. Two procedures for the purification of MO-TMS steroid derivatives are compared. Application of the method to urine samples of patients with various endocrine disorders is included.