Radio-enzymic assay of oxo steroids by their reduction with the tritiated form of reduced nicotinamide--adenine dinucleotide

A method of analysis is proposed based on the enzyme-catalysed transfer of tritium from [3H]NADH to suitable substrates. Its practicability is demonstrated on the examples of oestrone and progesterone with the respective use of the 3 beta, 17 beta- and 3 alpha, 20 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase. Specificity is tested by application to the analysis of the plasma of pregnant women and measurement of the 3H/14C ratios on purification of the enzymic reduction products.