A RAPID METHOD FOR ESTIMATING OESTROGENS IN URINE USING A SEMI-AUTOMATIC EXTRACTOR

SUMMARY A semi-automatic extractor was developed which processes 12 urines at a time to a stage where 'total' oestrogens can be measured by colorimetry using the Kober reaction (late pregnancy urines) or by fluorimetry using the Kober—Ittrich procedure (non-pregnancy and early pregnancy urines). One worker can complete 12 analyses in 31⁄2 hr. or 24–36 in a working day. The results obtained at oestrogen levels above 1 mg./24-hr. urine were the same as those obtained by a method specific for oestriol. The results obtained from non-pregnancy urines were compared with the sums of oestriol, oestrone and oestradiol obtained by the method of Brown (1955). The mean ratio (± s.d. ) of the two values was 1·22 ± 0·31. The comparisons indicated that the short procedure was the more reliable method at levels below 5 μg./24-hr. urine. Values for normal subjects are given. The methods appear to be entirely suitable for assessing oestrogen production by the ovaries, testes, adrenals and placenta.