EXCRETION OF URINARY CORTICOIDS AND 17-KETOSTEROIDS IN THE NORMAL INDIVIDUAL1

Abstract

Urinary 17-keto-steroids and glycogenic corticoids have been measured in a series of normal individuals. The assay method of Venning, Kazmin, and Bell has been used for determining the urinary corticoids. It is based upon the ability of these hormones to cause deposition of glycogen in the livers of adrenalectomized mice, one glycogenic unit being equivalent to the biologic activity contained in one [gamma] of 17-hydroxy 11-dehydro corti-costerone. Normal [male][male] excrete between 40-85 units of glycogenic corticoids/24 hrs., normal [female][female] between 25-65 units/24 hrs. No corticoids could be detected in the urine of o infants 1-4 days old, but amounts in the order of 35-42 units were found in the urine of 2 [male] children between the ages of 21/2 to 3 yrs. At 51/2 yrs. the excretion of these substances had reached values found in adult [male][male]. In old age, the excretion of corticoids is somewhat lower than in adult life. Some variation in the daily excretion of both corticoids and 17-ketosteroids was found in both sexes, however, no cyclic changes were observed in the menstrual cycle. The excretion of corticoids and 17-ketosteroids varies independently.