Pregnanediol glucuronide

Progesterone is rapidly absorbed after its administration by any route. It has a short half-life in the plasma, since it is almost completely metabolized in one passage through the liver. The glu-curonidated metabolite (pregnanediol glucuronide) is excreted by the kidney. Synthetic progestins are less rapidly metabolized. 

About 30 years ago, the two most important forms of steroid conjugates were isolated, one linked to sulfuric acid (androsterone sulfate, isolated by Venning et o/., 1942), and the other linked to glucuronic acid (pregnanediol glucuronide, isolated by Odell and Martian, 1936, and estriol glucuronide, isolated by S. L. Cohen et al., 1936). 

O Connor KA, Brindle E, Hohnan DJ> Klein NA, Soules MR, Campbell KL, et al. Urinary estrone conjugate and pregnanediol 3-glucuronide enzyme immunoassays for population research. Clin Chem 2003 49 1139-48. 

A direct chemiluminescence assay for urinary pregnanediol 3-glucuronide employs the isoluminol conjugate (31) as tracer, with monoclonal antibodies. Specificity is excellent, the assay being sensitive to 30 pg.143 A solid-phase chemiluminescence assay for plasma progesterone uses as tracer the isoluminol conjugate (32) derived from lla-hydroxyprogesterone.144... 

Progesterone is produced only during certain phases of menstruation and during pregnancy. Excretion products in urine are the glucuronides of pregnanediol and some stereoisomers thereof as in the case of the adrenal corticoids, inactivation is accomplished by reduction of ring A. 

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