[Corticosteroids determination in pig plasma (author's transl)].

To measure corticosteroid levels in peripheral blood of pig, the competitive protein-binding assay of Murphy was compared to a fluorimetric determination of cortisol and corticosterone previously separated by thin-layer chromatography. Accuracy and precision of each technique were determined. Concentration of corticosteroids were found to be 3.4 +/- 0.3 microgram/100 ml by competitive protein-binding and 2.4 +/- 0.2 microgram cortisol/100 ml and 0.3 +/- 0.03 microgram corticosterone/100 ml by fluorimetric determination. These levels were subject to diurnal variations. They were increased by ACTH administration and decreased by dexamethasone treatment. Both techniques were found to be sensitive and accurate to assess adrenal function in pigs. The competitive protein-binding assay, in spite of its relative lack of specificity, would appear to be suitable for routine analysis.