title: The determination of 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione in human follicular fluid and plasma.
abstract: The development of a chromatographic/immunoassay method is presented for the measurement of 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione (11 beta-OH-A4) in ovarian follicular fluid (FFL) and plasma from women undergoing embryo transfer for in vitro fertilization. This method incorporates high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and permits the simultaneous measurement of other steroids from a single sample in order to assess the intraovarian environment. Authenticity of 11 beta-OH-A4 in follicular fluid was confirmed using selected ion monitoring (SIM) gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Our results demonstrate a mean concentration of 18.6 nmol/l in follicular fluid compared with 3.2 nmol/l in plasma. The origin of 11 beta-OH-A4 in follicular fluid requires further investigation but these findings supports the hypothesis of ovarian 11 beta-hydroxylase activity on C19 steroids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London, England.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Holownia
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hampl
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Honour
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000737:chemistry*; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D000735:Androstenedione; C003582:11-hydroxyandrostenedione