Simple method for the isolation of 17-oxosteroid glucuronides from urine.

In order to study the hydrolysis, enzymatic or chemical, of the plasma and urinary steroid glucuronides, as well as the biosynthesis, the isolation of the individual 17-oxosteroids is an absolute necessity. Schneider and Lewbart (1959) employed counter-current distribution techniques to isolate several steroid glucuronides. Androsterone glucuronide was isolated by Edwards and Kellie (1956) and by Crepy, Jayle, and Meslin (1957); and the aetiorcholanolone salt was isolated by Baulieu (1960). Hadd and Dorfman (1963) isolated androsterone glucuronide from a patient producing a massive amount of it. Since then both 5 ca (Staib and Doenges, 1960) and 5,B (Staib and Doenges, 1960; Hadd, 1958) forms of the 17-oxosteroid glucuronide have been synthesized. The object of the present work was to develop a method of separating the major 17-oxosteroid glucuronides on a large scale and economically. In the techniques developed inexpensive and easily available apparatus is used.