THE EFFECT OF CORTICOSTEROID INJECTION ON ALDOSTERONE SECRETION1

Abstract

Administration of cortisone and 17-hydroxycorticosterone, 100 mg/day, over a period of 5 weeks does not reduce the rate of aldosterone secretion by the dog adrenal, as determined by isolation of this steroid from adrenal venous blood. Secretion rates of 17-hydroxycorticosterone, corticosterone and 11-desoxy-17-hydroxycorticosterone are markedly reduced, and are of the same order of magnitude as after complete hypophysectomy. The pituitary content of ACTH is markedly reduced. Corticosteroid treatment results in a marked cortical atrophy of the adrenals which does not involve the glomerulosa layer.