FACTORS ENHANCING THE RESPONSE OF THE HUMAN ADRENAL TO CORTICOTROPIN: IS THERE AN ADRENAL GROWTH FACTOR?*

Abstract

The determination of urinary 17-hydroxycorticoids together with the use of a "standard ACTH test" was applied in the quantitative estimation of adrenal "responsiveness." Adrenal responsiveness is above normal in patients with Cushing''s syndrome, and is distinctly subnormal in patients with either primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. An increase in adrenal responsiveness may be demonstrated not only during the continuous administration of ACTH, but also during treatment with a special pituitary fraction which is devoid of the immediate steroid-discharging property of ACTH.