Abstract: Diagnostic/prognostic methods are provided for screening for pathologies wherein an alteration in estrogen metabolism is indicative of a pathology or a susceptibility thereto which comprise detecting and/or quantifying directly in tissues and body fluids of mammals abnormal levels of estrone metabolites and their glucuronide conjugates. Particularly preferred methods involve the use of the 16OHE1-glucuronide fraction, i.e., the fraction which contains 16.alpha.-hydroxyestrone (16OHE1) and its conjugates, 16OHE1-3-glucuronide. Methods of preparing reagents to detect said 16OHE1-glucuronide fraction in tissues and body fluids are disclosed as well as test kits for performing the disclosed assays.

Abstract: Diagnostic/prognostic methods are provided for screening for pathologies wherein an alteration in estrogen metabolism is indicative of a pathology or a susceptibility thereto which comprise detecting and/or quantifying directly in tissues and body fluids of mammals abnormal levels of estrone metabolites and their glucuronide conjugates. Particularly preferred methods involve the use of the 16OHE1-, 2OHE1- or 2MeoE1-glucuronide fraction, i.e., the fraction which contains the metabolite and its 3-glucuronide conjugate. Methods of preparing reagents to detect said 16OHE1-, 2OHE1-, and 2MeoE1-glucuronide fraction in tissues and body fluids are disclosed as well as test kits for performing the disclosed assays.