Suppression of adrenocorticotrophic activity in the ascorbic acid deficient guinea-pig.

1. Adrenocortical hyperactivity caused by a marked increase in circulating corticotrophin occurred in guinea-pigs on a diet deficient in ascorbic acid.2. Betamethasone prevented the rise in the blood ACTH concentration in scorbutic animals and also the increased steroid production per gramme adrenal tissue in vitro. It diminished the adrenal hypertrophy and partially suppressed the rise in plasma cortisol.3. Ninety minutes after the injection of ascorbic acid corticotrophin could no longer be detected in the plasma of scorbutic animals.4. Neither the survival time nor the weight loss was affected by betamethasone treatment.