Radioimmunoassay of androsterone and androsterone-3-sulfate in plasma

Details of a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for androsterone (1) and androsterone sulfate in plasma have been presented. Benzene extracts of plasma were chromatographed on alumina to isolate the androsterone fraction either (a) directly after extraction (A) or (b) after solvolysis (AS). Following treatment with rabbit anti-A-17-BSA, antibody bound steriod was precipitated by ammonium sulfate. Androsterone concentrations in normal male plasma averaged 57 +/- 24 (S.D.) ng/dl, range 35-135 ng/dl and for normal women, 44 +/- 21 (S.D.) ng/dl, range 18-98 ng/dl. Androsterone sulfate concentrations were: males 55 +/- 28 mug/dl (range 10-114 mug/dl); premenopausal females 52+/- 31 mug/dl (range 16-318 mug/dl).