METABOLISM OF THE STEROID HORMONES. ADRENAL CORTICAL-LIKE MATERIAL IN HUMAN URINE1

Abstract
By means of a cold protection test using adrenalec-tomized rats, cortin-like material was demonstrated in the urine of 9 normal men and 8 normal women. Cortin-like material could be demonstrated only once in 15 assays in urines from 7 patients with Addison''s disease. This material presumably arises in the adrenal cortex, and variations in urinary content reflect the physiological activity of the gland. The adm. of adrenal cortical extracts to patients with Addison''s disease resulted in the excretion of cortin-like material. Orally administered desoxycorticosterone had no such effect.