Ten young adult males were exposed to 4300 meters of altitude for 2 weeks. Urinary 17-ketogenic steroids (17-KGS), 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS), and the cortisol secretion rate were transitorily increased. Urinary 17-ketosteroids (17-KS) were not significantly modified. The changes observed in 17-OHCS with exposure to high altitude are similar to those found with an 8-hr intravenous infusion of 1 U of ACTH. Possible interpretations of the observed dissociation between 17-KS and the other variables studied are discussed.

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