THE PETTENKOFER REACTION AS AN INDICATION OF ADRENOCORTICAL ACTIVITY

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Abstract
The quantity of dehydroepiandrosterone in urine extracts has been measured by the Pettenkofer reaction. The proportion of this substance, relative to 17-ketosteroids, measured in ketonic fractions, rose significantly after gonadectomy in a testicular pseudohermaphrodite. The amount obtained from a case of post-pubertal virilism due to adrenal hyperplasia was significantly reduced by cortisone treatment. Large proportions were found in a case of adult cryptorchidism, and the total amount present increased after ACTH injection. In six of seven other patients receiving ACTH the amount of dehydroepiandrosterone increased. It is concluded that dehydroepiandrosterone is indicative of the adrenocortical contribution to 17-ketosteroid excretion in human subjects.