In vitro Response of Functional Experimental Adrenal Tumors to Corticotropin (ACTH).

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Abstract
Slices from transplants of two adrenocortical tumors (mouse and rat) were incubated with and without ACTH and the total [DELTA]4-3-ketosteroids produced were determined. The basal steroid secretion in the mouse and rat tumor slices averaged 2.6 and 1.9 [mu]g equivalents of cortisol/100 mg/2 hours respectively; with maximal stimulating amounts of ACTH the rates were 13.6 and 17.4 [mu]g, respectively. Both tumors responded to ACTH levels as low as 0.2 mU, with maximal stimulation at 2-3 mU of the hormone. Glucose in the buffer stimulated the total steroid secretion of the mouse tumor slices about 40%. The tumor incubates were analyzed chromato-graphically. Under ACTH stimulation, corticosterone and 11[beta]-hydroxy-[DELTA] -androstene-3,17-dione were produced in approximately equal amounts by the mouse adrenal tumor slices. However, 25-65% of the total [DELTA]4-3-ketosteroids consisted of compounds with chromatographic behavior suggestive of progesterone, 11B-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-dehydro-corticosterone and [DELTA]4-3-keto-20,21 dihydroxy steroids. The secretion of the rat tumor slices consisted mainly of corticosterone.