INFLUENCES OF SOME STEROIDS ON THE CORTICOSTERONE PRODUCTION BY RAT ADRENAL IN VITRO

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Abstract
The modified method of Saffran and Schally''s in vitro ACTH bioassay was used. The production of corticosterone from rat adrenal tissues in vitro increased on addition of ACTH, but this ACTH effect was inhibited by simultaneous additions of cortisol or prednisolone. Tetrahydrocortisol, methyltestosterone and estradiol-17[BETA] did not inhibit the ACTH effect. Estradiol-17[BETA] increased the production of corticosterone in an ACTH free medium. At the concentration of about 10-5 M of glucocorticoid, the ACTH effect was almost completely inhibited, but this inhibitory action was not observed below the concentration of 10-6 M. The inhibitory action on the ACTH effect of glucocorticoid could be removed by a previous addition of ACTH. It was suggested that the inhibitory action of glucocorticoid might be the result of inhibited metabolism of phosphorus in the adrenal cortex. These findings suggest that the inhibition of the pituitary-adrenal system following the administration of corticoids occurs not only at the level of the pituitary but also at the level of the adrenal cortex.

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