Abstract
Summary
A method for the bioassay of the adrenal cortical hormone is described which allows of its detection in minute quantities. It is based on the maintenance of life of adrenalectomized rats weighing 35-50 g exposed to a temperature of +2° - +5°C. The hormone is administered subcutaneously in 3 doses with periods of 3 hours between injections. The unit is defined as the minimum amount necessary to maintain the life of two-thirds of the treated rats at a time when two-thirds of the untreated controls succumb. Because of the simplicity, sensitivity, and rapidity of this test, it appears to be particularly suitable for clinical and physiological studies necessitating the detection of the adrenal cortical hormone in tissues and body fluids in which only traces are present.
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