The measurement of 11 beta-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (21-deoxycorticosterone) by radioimmunoassay in human plasma.

A specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) method is described for the determination of 21-deoxycorticosterone (21 DB) in human plasma. 21-Deoxycorticosterone-3-(O-carboxymethyl) oxime-bovine serum albumin conjugate was used to generate antisera in rabbits. Steroids which reacted significantly with the antisera were found to be progesterone, pregnenolone, corticosterone and 11-oxo progesterone.

[Radioimmunoassay of salivary l7 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. Values obtained in healthy subjects and in patients treated for congenital hyperplasia of the adrenal glands].

The authors describe a method for the radioimmunoassay of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone in the saliva. The limit of detection is 1.96 fmole/tube.

[21-hydroxylase deficit revealed by hyperkalemia in the absence of renal failure in an insulin-dependent diabetic (author's transl)].

The authors report a case of severe hyperkalemia (7 mmol/l) in an insulin-dependent diabetic in the absence of renal failure. This hyperkalemia was due to hypoaldosteronism caused by inadequate hormone biosynthesis in the absence of 21-hydroxylase. Replacement therapy allowed normalization of clinical and laboratory parameters.

Pituitary-adrenal axis activity in treated congenital adrenal hyperplasia: static and dynamic studies.

The pituitary-adrenal axis activity was evaluated in 43 patients, treated for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, by measuring plasma ACTH, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), testosterone, and aldosterone. Dynamic studies were performed by injecting 250 micrograms synthetic ACTH im and collecting blood samples 1 h later for steroid analysis. Twelve to fourteen hours after the last hydrocortisone dose given the evening before, plasma ACTH fluctuated widely from less than 10-475 pg/ml, 17-OHP exceeded normal values and varied from 1-275 ng/ml, while testosterone ranged from 3-151 ng/100 ml.

Plasma aldosterone concentrations during the neonatal period.

The direct radioimmunoassay for plasma aldosterone (PA) set up in this laboratory has been reported elsewere. Subjects were 115 normal full term newborns and infants. During the first week of life, there was a wide dispersion in the PA levels (less than 1 - 445, n = 89), but on the whole these levels were high (greater than 6 ng/100 ml) and 35% were higher than those observed in children after stimulation (greater than 48 ng/100 ml).