Identification of 2-hydroxyoestradiol and the pattern of catechol oestrogens in human pregnancy urine

Abstract

2-Hydroxyoestradiol was identified in human pregnancy urine and quantitatively determined. The isolation procedure involved four Chromatographie purification steps of 2-hydroxyoestradiol on ascorbic acid impregnated stationary phases and the formation of its phenazine derivative. Following two further chromatography, mass spectrometry and by a microchemical reaction. The catechol oestrogens so far spectrometry. The identity of the product finally obtained was established by U.V.-spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and by a microchemical reaction. The catechol oestrogens so far isolated from human urine were quantitatively determined in several pregnancy urines; the amounts excreted were found to vary within the following ranges: 110–2100 μg of 2-hydroxyoestrone/24 h, 20–180 μg of 2-hydroxyoestradiol/24 h and 35–240 μg of 2-hydroxyoestriol/24 h.