WORK PERFORMANCE OF ADRENALECTOMIZED RATS TREATED WITH 11-DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE SODIUM PHOSPHATE AND 11 - DESOXY - 17 - HYDROXYCORTICOSTERONE

Abstract

The work performance of adrenalectomized rats was studied by weighting the gastrocnemius muscle with 100 g. and stimulating it to contract 3 times per sec. The animals were treated with various steroid compounds. 11-desoxycorticosterone was tested in its water insoluble form as an acetate and in a water soluble form as a sodium phosphate. Both the water soluble and insoluble forms had little effect on work. Also ll-desoxy-17-hydroxycortico-sterone had little effect whereas ll-dehydro-17-hydroxy-corticosterone had a definite effect in maintaining the ability to work. These results support the view that the presence of an O2 atom at carbon 11 of corticosterone and related compounds is essential for a positive effect on work.