PITUITARY-ADRENAL FUNCTION FOLLOWING HYPOPHYSECTOMY IN MAN

Abstract

The pituitary-adrenal function in hypophysectomized patients was evaluated by means of the steroid content in blood and urine prior to and following oral administration of metyrapone (Metopirone). This method appears to be useful in revealing cases of incomplete hypophysectomy. In two out of six patients, in whom no gonadotrophin could be detected in the urine, metyrapone administration was followed by a marked increase in the plasma level of compound S and a significant increase in the urinary 17-ketogenic steroid output, indicating that the hypophysectomy was presumably incomplete.