Biological and chemical oestrogenic substances in assay of cosmetics

Synopsis--A screening method of testing for OESTROGENIC ACTIVITY was developed using direct application of cosmetic products to the shaven skin of castrated female mice; vaginal smears were taken subsequently. Levels down to 0.00025 o OESTRADIOL-173 can be detected. Of forty-five samples examined three were shown to contain oestrogenic substances. A quantitative test, based on extraction and subcutaneous administration of the extract to test animals, was developed for further examination of samples found positve in the screening test. The forty-five samples were also analysed CHEMICALLY for the presence of the following oestrogenic osubstances: oestradiol-17[3, OESTRONE OESTRIOL, and DIETHYLSTILBESTROL (DES).