On the synthesis of the 12-oxygen analogs of corticosterone.

The accepted emergency function of the adrenal cortex indicates the therapeutic application of the adrenal cortical hormones in conditions of stress. While the clinical aspects have received considerable attention, the results are confusing, owing mainly to the use of whole adrenal cortical extract which contains a mixture of cortical hormones several of which possess antagonistic actions. It may be assumed that, under physiological conditions, each cortical hormone is secreted independently, in amount governed by the physiological needs of the moment. Moreover, there is great variation in the relative content of the cortically active steroids in different preparations of cortical extracts obtained by the same method. [...