Excretion pattern of 3 beta-hydroxysteroids in patients with adrenal tumor, Cushing's disease and 21-hydroxylase deficiency, and in pregnancy, using thin-layer chromatography and color development of 3 beta-hydroxysteroids with 3 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidase.

The fractional assay is described of 3 beta-hydroxysteroids in various patients by thin-layer chromatography and color development using an enzyme that reacts specifically with some 3 beta-hydroxysteroids. Together with dehydroepiandrosterone, androst-5-ene-3 beta,17 beta-diol and 16 alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone can be detected, but their concentrations differ with each disease. An unknown fraction, a more polar 3 beta-hydroxysteroid than 16 alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone, is also detected in moderate amounts in patients with adrenal tumor (18.3 mg/day), 21-hydroxylase deficiency (3.2 to 1.2 mg/day), and Cushing's syndrome (0.9-2.3 mg/day, as pregn-5-ene-triol).