Effect of Aldosterone and Desoxycorticosterone on Adrenalectomized Dogs.

The minimum daily dose of aldosterone when administered in 10% alcohol to adrenalectomized dogs is approximately 10 μg/dog/day; the dose of the free alcohol of desoxycorticosterone required is 250-125 μg/ day. Thus, aldosterone is about 25 times more active than DOC. The new steroid in low dosage is less efficient in regulating the serum K level than it is in maintaining a normal level of serum Na. Hyperpotassemia and symptoms of adrenal failure may be present in dogs presenting normal levels of serum Na. A larger dose of this mineralocorticoid is required to maintain a normal level of arterial pressure than is necessary to maintain a normal serum electrolyte pattern. Aldosterone appears to possess certain physiological properties which distinguish it from desoxycorticosterone compounds.