[Corticosteroid biosynthesis in various water-salt dietary regimens]

The production of desoxycorticosterone, 18-hydroxy-desoxycorticosterone and corticosterone by the mouse adrenals increases in vitro whereas 18-hydroxy-corticosterone and/or aldosterone production falls to an uncertain level when the salt consumption rises from about 0.07 to 50 mekv per animal a day under conditions of water consumption ad libitum. Specific activity values of 3H-corticosteroids, being formed by the adrenal cortex capsule from 3H-progesterone, added to the incubated culture, decrease. Aldosterone production by the adrenals remains unchanged under conditions of sodium load with the limited water consumption. It is suggested that the stimulating effect of endogenous ACTH on the adrenal cortex is potentiated because of the increased salt consumption.