Table Of ContentBiochemistry of Women:
Methods for
Clinical Investigation
Biochemistry of Women:
Methods for
Clinical Investigation
A. S. Curry
M.A., Ph.D., F.R.I.C., F.R.C. Path.
Home Office Central Research Establishment
Aldermaston Nr Reading
Berkshire U.K.
J. V. Hewitt
M.Sc., A.R.I.C.
Area Laboratory
King Edward VII Hospital
Windsor U.K.
published by:
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INTRODUCTION
The biochemistry of women is of interest to all these the laboratory has its role.
— to man for obvious reasons, to women for At the same time as the increase in rate of
selfish ones! growth of medical knowledge have come major
However, few books have dealt solely with the technological developments, for example, gas
analytical methodology of those tests that are chromatography and radioimmunoassays. These
performed predominantly or solely to investigate have enabled biochemical investigations to delve
the clinical chemistry of the female. into hitherto closed areas.
Several factors in the last decade have created a This book is written by experts who, using the
situation which makes the present time par- latest techniques, describe laboratory investiga-
ticularly opportune to bring the various aspects of tions into women from conception to the grave.
the subject into one volume. Increased opulence, We asked the authors to pay particular attention
better medicine, and higher standards of living to the interpretation of laboratory results, so we
have concentrated thoughts onto better antenatal hope the book will be of interest to clinicians as
care, the problems of infertility, and, with the well as to medical scientists.
impact of the pill, the problems of fertility. We had problems with the title of this book —
Considerable medical attention has been focused at one time it was going to be Investigations of
on many other conditions affecting women, such Women in the Laboratory — we hope the reader is
as breast cancer and the menopause, and in all not disappointed!
THE EDITORS
Dr. Alan S. Curry is Director of the Home Office Central Research Establishment, Aldermaston,
U.K., and has long experience of analytical methodology in chemistry, biochemistry, and toxicology.
Although a chemist by training, he is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists and consultant in
forensic toxicology to the Royal Air Force. He is a graduate of Cambridge University and has written
extensively in the field of forensic chemistry and toxicology. He is the author of Poison Detection in
Human Organs and Advances in Forensic and Clinical Toxicology, editor of Methods of Forensic
Science, and has contributed numerous chapters to other books. He has also had nearly 100 research
publications published.
Miss J. V. Hewitt is a clinical biochemist with extensive hospital experience. A graduate of
Manchester University, after earning her M.Sc. she joined the staff of the Biochemistry Laboratory,
Manchester Royal Infirmary. She worked there under the direction of Mr. H. Varley until moving to
King Edward VII Hospital, Windsor, in 1970.
Dr. Curry is a Civil Servant and wishes to make it clear that the editing of this book was in no way
connected with his official duties. The views expressed in the book are entirely those of the authors of
the chapters.
CONTRIBUTORS
J. D. Acland, M.A., B.Sc., B.M., B.Ch., Ph.D. M. G. Metcalf, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Group Pathology Department The Medical Unit
Manor Hospital The Princess Margaret Hospital
Walsall WS2 9PS Christchurch
England New Zealand
D. Fahmy, M.Sc., Ph.D. D. W. Moss, M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Tenovus Institute for Cancer Research Department of Chemical Pathology
Welsh National School of Medicine Royal Postgraduate Medical School
The Heath Ducane Road
Cardiff CF4 4XX London W12 OHS
Wales England
B. Furst, M.D. R. E. Oakey, Ph.D.
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Division of Steroid Endocrinology
St. Luke's Hospital Department of Chemical Pathology
Cleveland The University of Leeds
Ohio 44104 School of Medicine
Leeds
M. C. Hallberg, B.S. England
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism now
St. Luke's Hospital Visiting Scientist
Cleveland Pregnancy Research Branch
Ohio 44104 National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development
P. J. Leonard, M.Sc., Ph.D., M.R.C. Path. Bethesda, Md. 20014
Hormone Assay Laboratory
G.D. Searle Scienfific Services
Lane End Road J. F. Pearson, M.D., M.R.C.O.G.
High Wycombe Maternity Department
Bucks HP12 4HL Welsh National School of Medicine
England Heath Hospital
Cardiff
M. J. Levell, M.A., Ph.D. Wales
Division of Steroid Endocrinology
The University of Leeds C. Robyn, M.D.
School of Medicine Human Reproduction Research Unit
26-28 Hyde Terrace Hospital St. Pierre
Leeds 2 University of Brussels
England Brussels
Belgium
0. J. Lucis, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of National Health and Welfare D. P. Rose, M.D., Ph.D.
Place Vanier Division of Clinical Onocology
355 River Road University Hospitals
Vanier, Ontario K1A 1B8 University of Wisconsin
Canada Madison, Wisc. 53706
C. Swain, M.Phil., Ph.D. D. Y. Wang, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Department of Clinical Endocrinology Department of Clinical Endocrinology
Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories
Lincoln's Inn Fields Lincoln's Inn Fields
London WC2A 3PX London WC2A 3PX
England England
R. G. Wieland, M.D.
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism
A. C. Turnbull, M.D., F.R.C.O.G. St. Luke's Hospital
Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Cleveland
John Radcliffe Hospital Ohio 44104
Headington
Oxford S. Winsten, Ph.D.
England Department of Laboratories
Albert Einstein Medical Center
Northern Division
Philadelphia, Pa. 19141
M. Vekemans, M.D.
Human Reproduction Research Unit E. M. Zorn, M.S.
Hospital St. Pierre Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism
University of Brussels St. Luke's Hospital
Brussels Cleveland
Belgium Ohio 44104
(cid:9)(cid:9)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Nonpregnancy Estrogens (cid:9) 1
P. J. Leonard
Estrogens in Pregnancy (cid:9) 19
R. E. Oakey
Progesterone and Metabolites (cid:9) 45
0. J. Lucis
Gonadotropins and Prolactin (cid:9) 79
C. Robyn and M. Vekemans
Neutral Steroids 129
M. J. Levell
Gas Chromatographic Procedures for the Measurement of Pregnanediol, Andosterone, Etiocholanolone,
and Dehydroepiandrosterone 151
M. G. Metcalf
Testosterone and Metabolites in Women Using Radioimmunoassay Techniques (cid:9) 181
R. G. Wieland, E. M. Zorn, M. C. Hallberg, and B. Furst
Hormones and Breast Cancer (cid:9) 191
D. Y. Wang and M. C. Swain
Enzymes in Carcinoma (cid:9) 219
S. Winsten
The Selection, Performance, and Interpretation of Serum Enzyme Tests in Pregnancy (cid:9) 237
D. W. Moss
Problems of Thyroid Analyses in Pregnancy (cid:9) 257
J. D. Acland
Fetal Monitoring — Current Concepts (cid:9) 299
D. Fahmy, J. F. Pearson, and A. C. Turnbull
Assessment of Tryptophan Metabolism and Vitamin B6 Nutrition in Pregnancy and Oral
Contraceptive Users (cid:9) 317
D. P. Rose
Index (cid:9) 351
