Determination of ethinyl estradiol in human urine by radiochemical GLC

A radiochemical GLC analysis was developed for 3H-labeled ethinyl estradiol in human urine. The technique was applied to the unconjugated and aglycone fractions of urine collected from women who were dosed orally with: (a) single capsules containing 2.0 mg of 3H-quinestrol (900 muCi) and 2.5 mg of unlabeled quingestanol acetate dissolved in sesame oil and (b) single tablets containing 100 microgram of 3H-quinestrol (86 muCi). Unconjugated ethinyl estradiol in Day 1 urine collections represented means of 0.02% of the high quinestrol dose and 0.12% of the low dose. Ethinyl estradiol glucuronide in the same collections represented means of 0.55% of the high drug dose and 1.35% of the low dose. The method could detect 1-ng quantities of 3H-ethinyl estradiol and 3H-quinestrol.