The direct determination of oestrogen and progesterone in human ovarian tissue by quantitative high resolution mass spectrometry

The concentration of oestrone, oestradiol and progesterone in ovarian tissue have been determined directly by quantitative high resolution mass fragmentography without the necessity of extraction or purification. The changes in the levels of these steroids in the ovary throughout a 28 day period correlate well with those measured in plasma and also with those of the corresponding metabolites excreted in urine. Some benign ovarian tumours (cysts) have been shown to contain abnormally large amounts of progesterone.