STUDIES ON THE “COLD TEST” AS A METHOD FOR THE ASSAY OF ADRENAL CORTICAL STEROIDS1

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Abstract
IN 1931, Hartman demonstrated a significant difference in the sensitivity of normal and adrenalectomized rats exposed to low environmental temperatures, and showed that the resistance of adrenalectomized rats can be increased by the administration of cortical extract. Since these observations were reported, numerous studies have been presented confirming these findings and suggesting the use of this technique as a quantitative method for the assay of adrenal cortical steroids. Selye and Schenker (1938) reported that a method involving the cold test could be utilized to detect as little as 0.05 cc. of Wilson’s adrenal cortical extract. The quantitative aspects were not discussed in any detail by these authors and it is apparent that if the method is subjected to statistical analysis according to Wilson (1941) that the method as suggested by Selye and Schenker is statistically unreliable.

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