Abstract
Advance in the chemistry of the female sex hormone or estrogenic factor—theelin, oestrin, etc.—has shown that some of the estrogenic compounds are ether insoluble. In consequence, we have returned to a modification of our earliest technic in which alcohol extraction was used. 1 By desiccating the venous blood specimen as heretofore with anhydrous sodium sulphate and then extracting with 95% alcohol, instead of ether, a great increase in estrogenic activity of the extract was noted.
The technic permits the accurate assay of a single specimen, the amount of extract employed in each animal depending upon the time of the cycle. By the old method 2 40 cc. of blood give a negative reaction until the week preceding the onset of the menses is reached. By the new method, 40 cc. of blood even immediately after menstruation gives a positive reading.
1. The new technic requires 50 cc. of blood, dehydrated in anhydrous sodium sulphate. 2. The powder is twice extracted with 200 cc. of 95% alcohol. 3. The alcohol fractions are combined and evaporated to dryness on a water bath. 4. The residuum is taken up in 5 cc. of olive oil and injected into spayed mice. 5. The bio-assay is according to the Allen and Doisy method.
Cyclical. With the refinement of method just described, the bloods of 13 patients with normal menstrual cycles, have been examined.
By the old method, 40 cc. of blood were found to contain a mouse unit of estrogenic substance from the 7th day preceding menstruation, to the onset of the period, in the great majority of patients. Before this time the tests usually proved negative.
With the new method, it was found that 40 cc. of blood regularly give a positive reaction some 21 days before the onset of the menses; that 30 cc. are positive between the 21st and 14th day; that 20 to 10 cc. are positive from the 7th day preceding the period until menstruation.
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