Separation, Identification, and Estimation of Human Steroid Hormones and Their Metabolites: Applications to Adrenocortical Steroids

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Abstract
The study of human metabolic networks requires the development of analytical methods capable of providing qualitative and quantitative information for relatively large numbers of compounds present in complex mixtures. Gas-phase analytical methods, using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, provide the best approach to this problem. Separation and quantification steps may be carried out by gas chromatography, and identifications or structural determinations may be made by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The specific problem described in this paper involves the separation, identification, and estimation of human urinary adrenocortical hormone metabolites. The compounds were separated as MO-TMSi and TMSi derivatives in a temperature-programmed procedure. A study was made of the quantitative aspects of an automated system for steroid analyses. The method is satisfactory for reference compounds; it is not yet entirely suitable for use with authentic urinary samples.