The 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids of Parotid Fluid, Serum and Urine Following Intramuscular Administration of Repository Corticotropin*

In healthy young adult males, the intramuscular injection of 40 i.u. of corticotropin produced the expected elevations in the levels of serum and urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS). The level of 17-OHCS in parotid-gland fluid closely paralleled that in the serum. These data strengthen the premise that the level of free 17-OHCS in parotid-gland fluid may well be utilized in evaluating adrenocortical status. The use of this method permits continuous sampling of a completely nonstressful nature and, even in extremely close quarters where blood sampling is impossible, the subject can easily obtain specimens of his own parotid fluid.