RESULTS OF ADMINISTRATION OF ANTERIOR PITUITARY ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE TO A NORMAL HUMAN SUBJECT*†

Abstract

When 100 mg. of adrenocor-ticotropic hormone was administered daily in divided doses to a normal young [female] , it caused an increased excretion of urinary steroids. The daily excretion of 17-ketosteroids increased from 4.84r-15.5 mg. and the cortin-like substances increased from 0.180-1.44 mg. Development of acne and a decrease in excretion of creatine suggested that the production of androgen was increased. The excretion of pregnane-diol, estrogens and gonadotrophin was not affected measurably. Androsterone and etiocholanolone were isolated from the urine in increased amts. during the period when ACTH was administered and cholestrol decreased. The concn. of Na, K, C1 and P in the blood and urine remained normal whereas there was a small but apparently significant increase in the CO2 content of the plasma. Urinary N increased slightly. Free cholesterol of the plasma decreased significantly but the blood proteins and the serum alkaline phosphatase remained unchanged. Anemia developed but the erythrocyte and leukocyte counts were not affected significantly. Tolerance to glucose was not affected measurably but some resistance to insulin developed.