[Effect of the adrenocorticotropic hormone on peripheral blood levels of hydrocortisone, testosterone and their precursors in baboons].

The time-course of changes in hydrocortisone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone levels in the peripheral blood of male sacred baboons was studied after exogenous ACTH injection by radioimmunoassay. It was shown that the hydrocortisone secretion character following ACTH injection correlates with the change of other adrenal steroids studied: 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone. Maximum concentration growth of the above steroids is seen 2 hours after ACTH injection and is 90, 80, 210 and 60%, correspondingly. Dynamics of testosterone response does not correlate with the adrenal steroid concentration change. Testosterone content is increased by 160% 30 minutes after ACTH injection, reaching 60% of the initial level following 6 hours.