92 G. I. M. SwYER 



of doubtful origin, part adrenocortical and part perhaps 

 gonadal, decline with age much as do the 17-ketosteroids. 

 Thus the outputs of the various classes of neutral steroids 

 change with age in dissimilar fashion. Close study of the data 

 suggests that the steroids of adrenal origin are less affected 

 by age than are those derived from the gonads, but that 

 adrenal steroids are not uniform in behaviour in this respect. 



This differential behaviour is clearly shown by the various 

 a-ketosteroids. The 11-deoxy steroids, androsterone and 

 aetiocholanolone, decrease regularly and markedly with 

 advancing age, in both men and women. In contrast, the 11- 

 oxygenated 17-ketosteroids decrease much less markedly 

 with increasing age in both sexes. The 11-oxyaetiocholano- 

 lones decrease least of all ; these substances derive chiefly from 

 Cortisol and its metabolites. 



To evaluate the significance for fluid and electrolyte control 

 of these hormonal changes in ageing men and women is 

 none too easy. The most important of the above-mentioned 

 hormones from this point of view are the adrenal cortico- 

 steroids, the output of which changes least. Beyond that 

 simple statement it is unsafe to venture. 



Nothing has hitherto been said about the role of antidiuretic 

 hormone of the posterior pituitary in the control of electrolyte 

 and fluid metabolism under the various circumstances dis- 

 cussed above. Though it is true that numerous reports have 

 appeared in the literature implicating ADH in a variety of 

 pathological states characterized by oliguria and oedema, it is 

 the opinion of van Dyke, Adamsons and Engel (1955) that "the 

 assays used to support this belief are so grossly inaccurate as 

 to make valueless any conclusions that have been reached." 

 If we may accept that opinion, nothing further need be said. 



REFERENCES 



Bartter, F. C, Liddle, G. W., Duncan, L. E., Barber, J. K., and 

 Delea, C. (1956). J. din. Invest., 35, 1306. 



BoNGiovANNi, A. M., and Eberlein, W. R. (1955). Pediatrics, Spring- 

 field, 16, 628. 



Chesley, L. C, and Boog, J. M. (1943). Surg. Gynec. Obstet., 77, 261. 



