抄録
On the ground of facts, obtained in the chemistry of sexual hormones as to the dependence of the specific biological effect on the chemical structure of hormones, we suggested and developed on an example with lnteosterone “a theory of specific action of sterones depending on their structure”. The fundamental idea of this theory is, that certain groupments (“anchor” and “protector” groups) in the sterone molecule, conduct and fix the latter in the organism on a certain substratum (cells and tissues directed to the effect of action of these compounds). After that the chemical reaction of sterone on the substratum will be realized and produce the characteristic physiological effect. The reaction represents nothing other than a further biochemical transformation of sterone in the animal or vegetable organism. The reaction is to be interpreted as any oilier biochemical reaction, i.e. as the liberation of a certain amount of energy and completion of a certain circular process of chemical transformations of the hormone. The ways by which this chemical reaction of sterone is going on in the organism, are determined either by the maximum work gained in its issue, or by the conditions of ana-katabolism of kindred substances of the sterones, this reaction making part of the general metabolism.
The scheme of similar chemical transformations of sterones in the organism as to its specificity must correspond to tile structural specificity of the initial hormone and shall not have, as will as this latter, precedents in the row of derivatives or other compounds. A scheme was found for luteosterone, and analysed from the view-point of this theory. In the same sense can be explained tile specific action of substances of the androsterone group, as well as the relatively slight specificity of action of tile follicular hormone.
