Sodium Retaining Activity of 19-Nor-Steroids in Adrenalectomized Rats

Abstract

Sodium retaining activity of nine 19-nor-steroids was tested in adrenalectomized rats. The 19-nor-analogs of desoxycorticosterone (DOC), Reichstein''s Compound S, hydrocortisone and corticosterone showed 5.1, 0.25, and 0.06 times the potency of DOC, respectively. Sodium retention was not detected in 5 other 19-nor-steroids, which showed less structural resemblance to adrenocortical steroids. Results indicate that varying degrees of activity will be found with removal of the methyl group at carbon 10, depending upon specific structure of the steroid.