Corticosteroids in Premature Cord Blood Determined Fluorometrically by Enzymatic Reduction of Cortisone

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Abstract
Cortisol and cortisone were determined in extracts of cord plasma by fluorometric measurement before and after incubation with a guinea pig liver microsomal enzyme preparation which reduced cortisone to cortisol. Plasma samples were extracted with CH2C12 after a wash with hexane and extraction with CCl4. TLC on silica gel sheets developed in toluene:chloroform:methanol:water (120:60:20:1) was also employed and confirmed results obtained with whole extracts but was not applied generally because of variable and low recoveries upon elution. Values obtained, in μ;g/100 ml plasma, for infants of 38–42 weeks gestational age were: cortisol 10.5 ± 1.0; cortisone 20.4 ± 3.4. Values for premature infants 28–36 weeks were: cortisol 16.7 ± 1.5; cortisone 35.3 ± 5.7. These findings are consistent with the thesis that corticosteroids play a critical role in parturition, insofar as levels are not less when this occurs prematurely. In this series values for premature infants were higher; it was concluded that most of the steroid was of maternal origin.

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