title: A rapid method for the measurement of estradiol and hydrocortisone levels in maternal and fetal blood and amniotic fluid.
abstract: Estradiol and hydrocortisone levels in maternal and fetal (umbilical cord) blood in human pregnancy can be simultaneously assessed by this method. Chromatography on microcolumns of Sephadex LH-20 with benzene:methanol (85:15) as developing solvent is used to separate estradiol, hydrocortisone, and isatin (a yellow-colored substance used as marker) from interfering steroids. Human late pregnancy plasma is used as the source of both sex hormone-binding globulin and transcortin for the competitive protein-binding assay of estradiol and hydrocortisone, respectively. The method is rapid enough to permit the monitoring of a high-risk pregnancy for plasma estradiol levels on a daily basis. The method is sensitive enough to permit assessment of perinatal adrenocortical function. Hydrocortisone levels can be measured in as little as 3 ml. of amniotic fluid obtained by amniocentesis and preliminary results indicated that hydrocortisone can be determined in as little as 0.1 ml. of fetal scalp blood or newborn baby blood.
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D001554:Benzene; D001665:Binding Sites; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection; D002845:Chromatography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D004964:Estriol / Q000097:blood; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D000432:Methanol; D011247:Pregnancy; D011485:Protein Binding; D012997:Solvents; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents; D004970:Estrone; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D004964:Estriol; D001554:Benzene; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D000432:Methanol