THE MICRO ESTIMATION OF STEROIDS PRODUCED BY RAT ADRENALS IN VITRO1

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Two procedures are described which permit a rapid estimation of as little as 2 [mu]g of corticoids. By these methods the in vitro steroid production of a single rat adrenal can be measured with an error of [plus or minus] 10%. Steroids with [DELTA]4 C-3 ketone group are measured by UV absorption and a-ketol steroids, by 2:5 diphenyl 3-(4 styryl phenyl) tetrazolium chloride (M. and B. 1767). It was found from analysis of media in which rat adrenals were incubated with and without added ACTH that more UV absorbing material is formed than material with an [alpha] -ketol group and that ACTH stimulates the formation of both types of material. The ratio of the [alpha] -ketol material to UV absorbing material is greater for incubation media of glands stimulated by ACTH than for incubation media of unstimulated glands.