Separation by thin-layer chromatography of the most common androgen-derived C-19 steroids formed by mammalian cells

Several methods have been developed in the past for the separation and iden tification of closely related steroid hormones. Although these methods are effective, most of them use HPLC-derived systems and are expensive, laborio us, or time-consuming. In the course of our studies of the metabolism of de hydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione in tissues, we have modified a pre viously published technique in such a way that in one TLC step we can separ ate most of the androgen C-19 steroid derivatives produced by mammalian cel ls. We have used this modified technique for the past 2 years with consider able success and reproducible results, and we find it to be rapid and relat ively inexpensive. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.