NEUTRAL STEROID EXCRETION BY NORMAL AND BY SCHIZOPHRENIC MEN*

Abstract

IN PREVIOUS papers the demonstration of abnormal adrenocortical response to stress and ACTH by schizophrenic men has been made (1, 2, 3). As possible explanations of the apparent diminished responsiveness in a large proportion of the schizophrenic subjects we have suggested: a) a tendency for the rapid inactivation of either endogenous or exogenous ACTH in schizophrenics or b) limited steroidogenesis by the schizophrenics' adrenal cortices in response to increased circulating ACTH from either exogenous or endogenous sources. Although excessive ACTH inactivation cannot be overlooked, certain considerations suggest that abnormal steroidogenesis in response to ACTH may occur in schizophrenic men. The fact that the total basal 17-ketosteroid output of schizophrenic men equals or exceeds that of nonpsychotic men of the same age, whereas the basal corticosteroid output (measured as neutral reducing lipid) is significantly lower in schizophrenic men, suggests a differential rate of secretion of the adrenal precursors of these two classes of urinary steroids. As an approach to the nature of steroidogenesis by schizophrenic men, we have undertaken the analysis of certain neutral urinary steroids in schizophrenic and control subjects. We have measured in urine: a) the total 17-ketosteroids by the application of the Zimmermann color reaction, b) the 17-ketosteroids chromogenic to SbCl₃, c) the α and β-ketosteroids by the Zimmermann reaction, and d) the nonketonic steroids chromogenic to SbCl₃.