Quantification of 5 alpha- and 5 beta-androstanediols in urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

We measured concentrations of 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (Ad) and 5 beta-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (beta-Ad) in urine by specific capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, with [16,16,17 alpha-2H3]-5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol as the internal standard. Comparison of the so-derived reference intervals for Ad and beta-Ad in men and women with those previously published indicates a significant positive bias for many of the previous assays in comparison with our procedure. Both Ad and beta-Ad have a pronounced diurnal rhythm, with maximum excretion in the interval 2300-0700 hours. Concentrations of Ad and beta-Ad were significantly correlated (r = 0.786, p less than 0.001), but the ratio of Ad to beta-Ad was not correlated to that for androsterone to etiocholanolone, the major 5 alpha and 5 beta metabolites of androgens in urine.