URINARY TOTAL 17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROID OUTPUT IN INTACT AND OVARIECTOMIZED BITCHES

Abstract

ABSTRACT Assays of urinary total 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) have been conducted in seven intact and seven ovariectomized Beagle bitches. Adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) stimulation and dexamethasone suppression tests were also undertaken. Urine samples were collected for six days from each animal and the mean total 17-OHCS excretion was 2.3 ± 0.7 (sd) and 1.8 ± 0.3 mg/24 hours in the intact and ovariectomized bitches respectively. The difference in 17-OHCS excretion between the two groups of animals is not significant. The administration of 40 IU ACTH caused a marked increase in 17-OHCS excretion in all animals. Dexamethasone was given at a dose level of 1.0 mg q. i. d. for two days. This resulted in a decrease in 17-OHCS output. However, the mean value was below the 95 % confidence limits of the control only in the ovariectomized group.