Steroids in Meconium from Male and Female Newborn Infants

The steroids in meconium from normal male and female newborn infants have been studied by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Practically all steroids were excreted as mono‐ and disulphates. The approximate concentrations of steroid mono‐ and disulphates were 430 and 470 μg per g of meconium. Twenty unsaturated and fourteen saturated steroids were completely identified. Most of the unsaturated steroids had a 3β‐hydroxy‐Δ⁵ structure. In addition, seven saturated steroids were tentatively identified. No significant qualitative differences were found in the steroid composition of meconium from male and female newborns. The results are discussed in relation to present knowledge of steroid metabolism in the foeto‐placental unit.