THE RELATIVE POTENCY OF SOME ADRENAL CORTICAL STEROIDS IN THE MUSCLE-WORK TEST

Abstract

The biologically active adrenal cortical steroids were compared as to their effect upon the ability of adrenalectomized rats to work. Under the conditions of this study, 17-hydroxycorticosterone was the most active compound, 17-hydroxy-11-dehyrocor-ticosterone was 2d, corticosterone was 3d, 11-dehydrocor-ticosterone was 4th and 11-desoxycorticosterone was much less active than any of the C-11-oxygenated compounds. It was shown by new data and by review of earlier studies that the decreased ability of adrenalectomized rats to work is due to adrenal cortical insufficiency and not to operative shock.