title: Characterization of the major steroids present in amniotic fluid obtained between the 15th and 17th weeks of gestation.
abstract: In pooled amniotic fluid obtained between the 15th and 17th weeks of gestation the concentration of free steroids and steroid glucuronides was found to be 40 micrograms/dl. The concentration of steroid monosulfates and disulfates was 19 micrograms/dl. About half of the characterized steroids are progesterone metabolites. The "fetal type" 3 beta-hydroxy-5-ene steroids were found exclusively in the sulfoconjugated form. Their concentration represents 20% of the total steroid content. The identification of two 15 beta-hydroxylated C21 steroids, 3 beta,15 beta,17 alpha-tridoxy-5-pregnen-20-one and 5-pregnene-3 beta,15 beta,17 alpha,20 alpha-tetrol isolated from mid-pregnancy amniotic fluid is reported here. Metabolites of cortisol and 17-deoxycorticosteroid metabolites had similar quantitative importance, 8.6 and 9.4%, respectively.
mesh_terms: D006907:17-alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone / Q000032:analysis; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000032:analysis*; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000032:analysis; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D004964:Estriol / Q000032:analysis; D005865:Gestational Age; D005965:Glucuronates / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D013431:Sulfates / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D005965:Glucuronates; D013431:Sulfates; C011277:16-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone; D006907:17-alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004964:Estriol; D003345:Corticosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone