Abstract
Summary
1. A test for determination of the anabolic potential of steroids using increase in uptake of a C14 labelled non-metabolizable amino acid by the levator ani muscle of the rat is described. 2. This test is considerably more rapid than the 2 standard levator ani weight increment tests. Reproducibility of the method within a given test is quite good as is reproducibility in serial tests with a given steroid. The sensitivity of this test is 5- to 7-fold that of the weight increment test. 3. The reduction in urinary AIB excretion observed even before any nitrogen retention becomes established suggests the possibility of using this reduction as an aditional or alternate indicator of the anabolic activity of steroids. 4. The close agreement in uptake ratios with 5 different steroid esters suggests that the metabolic product ultimately effective in causing the increase in uptake of the labelled compound is the same or that the various steroids have the same effect on the uptake mechanism.
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