SIMPLE AND RAPID METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PROGESTERONE IN RAT PLASMA BY GAS-LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH ELECTRON-CAPTURE DETECTION

A method for estimating progesterone in rat plasma using gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) with electron-capture detection is described. By means of a column chromatographic technique for the extration of progesterone from plasma, it is possible to isolate the steroid in such a specific way that, contrary to previously published methods, no additional chromatographic purification and separation steps are needed prior to the final GLC analysis. As a derivative for electron-capture detection we used the 3,20-di-O-pentafluorobenzyloxime of progesterone. This derivative is superior to those used hitherto with regard to sensitivity and stability. The high overall recovery (mean value, 89.4%) makes this method especially convenient for research work only little plasma is available, or when the concentration of progesterone is very low. © 1979.