Abstract
Conclusion
The plasma corticosteroid content of the guinea pig offers a suitable means for evaluating the potency of adrenocorticotrophic hormone, and also the menstrua which may be useful in extending the physiological or pharmacological effect of this hormone.
Summary. The response of the guinea pig to exogenous adrenocorticotrophin was determined using plasma steroid concentration as criteria of response. Average steroid concentration for 50 untreated male guinea pigs was 43 ± 1.7. A graded response was obtained after corticotrophin administration which when plotted yielded a straight line with a slope adequate to determine differences between a 1 1/2 to 3-fold increment in dose. Comparison of corticotrophin administered subcutaneously in a gelatin menstruum with that administered in water showed a 2–3 time greater activity when gelatin is employed as a menstruum than when the hormone is dissolved in water. This is in accord with findings in the rat using the adrenal ascorbic acid depletion as a measure of activity, and clinically in the human. Small amounts of glucuronide conjugated corticoids were also found in the plasma.
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