STEROID EXCRETION AND BLOOD STATUS DURING A MOUNTAIN TOUR AND A STAY AT MEDIUM ALTITUDE

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Abstract
One man and four women were studied for a 9-day control period at 400 m. altitude (Geneva); then for 12 days at 1850 m. (St. Moritz). During the high-altitude period, a strenuous mountain climb lasting 7 hours was under-taken on one day. A 2d control period at 400 m. lasted 7 days. The urinary volume, sp. gr., 17-ketosteroids, formaldehydogenic corticoids, and the blood hemoglobin, red count, platelet count, white cell count and differential (including total eosinophile count), fasting glucose, proteins and body weight were studied daily. The only significant changes were increased urinary volume, erythro-cyte count, and a decrease of 17-ketosteroids. The steroid excretion changed only for the 2 days immediately following the mountain climb. This is interpreted as indicating an adaptational shift in the use and metabolism of adrenocortical hormones. The formaldehydogenic hormone excretion did not change.