Evaluation of a rapid method for determination of total urinary estrogens in morning samples from normally menstruating women.

Total urinary estrogens (TUE) in morning urine samples delivered during seven days around midcycle from 14 normally menstruating women were analyzed and the results were compared with those obtained by radioimmunoassay of serum estradiol-17 beta (E2) and LH. The Spinnbarkeit of the cervical mucus was also determined daily and ovulation was confirmed by RIA of serum progesterone. Significant correlations (p less than 0.01) between day of peak levels of serum E2 and the day with the highest TUE value were obtained. Peak values for Spinnbarkeit, estradiol, TUE and LH were on the average obtained on cycle day 13.1 (10-17), 13.3 (10-16), 13.9 (11-18) and 14.1 (11-17), respectively, and the mean cycle length was 27.9 (24-32) days. The difference in mean peak day for estradiol and TUE, estradiol and Spinnbarkeit, estradiol and LH was significant in each comparison (p less than 0.01). Assays of TUE in morning samples as compared to analysis of TUE in 24 h urine portions were compared during 48 h in 10 women. The day with the highest TUE excretion was found to be the same in 7 women irrespective of the type of urinary sample analyzed. Analysis of urinary creatinine did not improve the TUE results. Levels of TUE in normally cycling females (n = 14); in women taking contraceptive steroids (n = 10), in menopausal women (n = 10) and in normal men (n = 10) agreed with those previously reported. It is concluded that the TUE determination by RIA may be helpful as a rapid method for everyday clinical use.