[Study of prostaglandins and thromboxanes B2 using mass-spectrometry of secondary ions]

Prostaglandins E, F, I2 and thromboxane B2 have been studied by secondary ion mass spectrometry. It is shown that the method is suitable for direct identification of these compounds either as free acids or as their sodium salts. The spectra of the former reveal their structural features, while with the latter information on the molecular weight can be obtained. The limit of detection (about 1 microgram) allows the analysis of prostaglandin solutions of 1 microgram/microliter concentrations used in pharmacological tests.