URINARY CORTICOSTEROIDS IN NORMAL, SCORBUTIC AND STILBOESTROL-TREATED GUINEA PIGS BEFORE AND AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF CORTICOTROPHIN

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Abstract
The average daily total quantitative excretion of 6 B hydroxycortisol, 2 [alpha] hydroxycortisol and cortisol were measured by combined chromatograph and ultraviolet spectrometric techniques in normal, scorbutic and stilbestrol-treated Harley guinea pigs before and after the administration of ACTH. The total daily excretion of scorbutic animals prior to ACTH administration was 110 [mu]g; in stilbestrol-treated animals, 59 [mu]g; in normal males, 40 [mu]g; and 54 [mu]g, in normal females. After ACTH, these groups excreted, respectively 128 [mu]g; 149 [mu]g; 238 [mu]g; and 227 [mu]g. In each group, cortisol was the major excretory product with lesser quantities of 2 a hydroxycortisol and 6 [beta] hydroxycortisol also found. In normal animals, cortisol represented 55% of the total excretion prior to ACTH administration and 80% of the total after ACTH while the total increase in excretory products rose 407% after ACTH administration. Corresponding figures for the scorbutic animals were, respectively, 80%, 80% and 16%; and for the stilbestrol-treated animals, 55%, 66% and 152%. The relative unresponsiveness of the adrenals of scorbutic and stilbestrol-treated guinea pigs to ACTH challenge in comparison to that of normal animals is discussed.