Corticosteroid Release from Adrenal Cell Suspensions in vitro

Corticosteroid Release from Adrenal Cell Suspensions in vitro 

An in vitro assay of corticotropin was described by Saf-fran and Schally (1955). This test has been modified by Van der Vies (1957) and used by several authors (Staehelin et al. 1965 Vogel 1969). 

There are many modifications of this method, based on incubation of small fragments of adrenal glands, or on the use of dispersed adrenal cells. Cells are incubated in a physiological buffer. The final solution is gassed with a mixture of 95% O2 and 5% CO2 for 10 min. As with similar methods - for example for pituitary cells or dispersed Leydig cells - there 

The concentrations in the incubation flasks are compared (duplicates or triplicates), potency ratios with confidence limits may be calculated from a 2 + 2 design or from dose-response curves. 

Corticosterone is now conveniently determined by RIA or HPLC, and dispersed adrenal cells are incubated instead of adrenal tissue fragments. 

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