DETERMINATION OF URINARY PLACENTAL ESTRIOL BY REVERSED-PHASE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH FLUORESCENCE DETECTION

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 26  (1) , 130-132
Abstract
A liquid-chromatographic procedure is described for determining human urinary estriol concentrations as an indicator of fetal distress. The urine sample, after enzymatic hydrolysis to free the conjugated estrogen, is extracted with ether, and an aliquot of the resulting extraction residue is injected into the liquid chromatograph. Sample components are separated with a reversed-phase C18 column and isocratic elution with an acetonitrile/H2O mobile phase. Using a far-UV excitation wavelength, the natural fluorescence of the eluted estrogen is measured with a fluorescence detector. The procedure provides excellent sensitivity for determining near-term pregnancy concentrations of urinary estriol. The selectivity of the method limits the effect of potentially interfering compounds.