A Biological Method for Determining Small Quantities of Sodium Retaining Substances.

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Abstract
1. A practical micro-bioassay technic for desoxycorticosterone acetate activity is proposed, using albino, urethra-ligated, bilaterally adrenalectomized, male rats of 150-155 g weight. 2. A calibration curve is demonstrated using desoxycorticosterone acetate as the standard hormone and the percentage sodium retained as the measure of its activity. Two μg DC A injected subcutaneously in 2 stages produce a highly significant retention of administered sodium. 3. The proposed bioassay requires 30 lapsed hours and a minimum of special technical skills and apparatus, but a high degree of sensitivity and a satisfactory degree of precision are indicated. 4. No consistent correlation was found between urine volume changes and DCA dosage levels. A significant change in urine volume was observed with 4 μg DCA relative to the control group of animals, but not with the higher or lower doses of DCA studied.