Urinary Δ⁵-pregnenetriol (Δ⁵-pregnane-3β, 17α, 20α-triol) and pregnanetriol (5β-pregnane-3α, 17α, 20α-triol) were measured by the previously reported gas chromatographic method in the following subjects: 26 normal adults (male 16, female 10), 5 cases with primary aldosteronism, 13 with Cushing's syndrome (bilateral adrenal hyperplasia 5, adrenal adenoma 4, adrenal carcinoma 4), 9 with adrenogenital syndrome (congenital adrenal hyperplasia 7, virilizing adrenal adenoma 2) and 5 cases with male hypogonadism. In normal adults, mean values for urinary excretion of Δ⁵-pregnenetriol and pregnanetriol were 0.15±0.09 (S. D.) mg/day and 0.29±0.17 (S. D.) mg/day, respectively. These two steroids were increased by ACTH. The response of Δ⁵-pregnenetriol to ACTH suggests that there exists a biosynthetic pathway of cortisol which goes through 17α-hydroxypregnenolone. Our observation that urinary Δ⁵-pregnenetriol and pregnanetriol increased by the administration of human chorionic gonodotropin appears to suggest that these two urinary steroids are of testicular origin.
The two steroids were within normal ranges both in primary aldosteronism and in male hypogonadism. Among patients with adrenogenital syndrome, urinary Δ⁵-pregnenetriol and pregnanetriol were equally high in congenital adrenal hyperplasia and in virilizing adrenal adenoma. However, the urinary excretion of pregnanetriolone (5β-pregnane-3α, 17α, 20α-triol-11-one) and pregnanetetrol (5β
-pregnane-3α, 11β, 17α, 20α-tetrol) is characteristically high in congenital adrenal hyperplasia, while these steroids were not detected in virilizing adrenal adenoma. With regard to cases of Cushing's syndrome, urinary Δ⁵-pregnenetriol and pregnanetriol were within normal limits in patients with adrenal hyper-plasia or adrenal adenoma. However, it was noteworthy that patients with adrenal adenoma excreted lesser amounts of Δ⁵-pregnenetriol compared to those with adrenal hyperplasia. On the other hand, patients with adrenal carcinoma excreted outstandingly large amounts of Δ⁵-pregnenetriol and pregnanetriol, especially the former. From these data it is concluded that the measurement of Δ⁵-pregnenetriol is advisable in cases of Cushing's syndrome, especially in cases with adrenal tumor and that the steroid is characteristically high in carcinoma to an extent enough to warrant differential diagnosis from adenoma.

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Glutaminase posseses two isozymes. One is phosphate dependent glutaminase which is activated with phosphate. Another is phsophate independent glutaminase which has an action on glutamine without phosphate.
Glutaminase activities were decreased in chronic pyelonephritis, nephrophthisis, hydronephrosis and renal tumors. Phosphate dependent glutaminase activities decreased remarkably, whereas phosphate independent glutaminase activities were remained almost unchanged in the kidney with above disorders.
The ureter was incompletely and unilateraly ligated in rats and rabbits to produce hydronephrosis experimentaly. Observations were made for 6 weeks and for 6 months for rats and rabbits respectively. The same is also true for clinical determinations.
The solution of NH₄Cl, HCl or sodium bicarbonate was given to rats. Phosphate depnendent glutaminase activities in the kidney were increased remakably by NH₄Cl, but not by other agents.
The decrease of phosphate dependent glutaminase activities might be a causative factor of acidosis in urological patients with renal disorders, judging from above clinical and experimental results.

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A morphological study of the colliculus seminalis has been made by means of retrograde urethrography in 654 cases, including 107 normal cases, 160 cases of benign prostatic hypertrophy, 22 cases of prostatic cancer, 47 cases of prostatism, 107 cases of seminal vesiculitis and prostatitis, 67 cases of neurogenic bladder, 45 cases of urethral stricture, 36 cases of male sterility, 17 cases of nervous urgency and 46 cases of enuresis. In addition. 80 other different cases have been subjected to a comparative study utilizing radiographic and endoscopic examination.
Radiographic pictures of the colliculus seminalis were classified into 7 types (Type I: club-shaped, Type II: tadpole-shaped, Type III: spindle-shaped, Type IV: belt-shaped, Type V: egg-shaped, Type VI: negative contour, Type VII: irregular deformation).
In normal cases, Type I was observed in 58%, Type II 24.3%, Type III, IV and V of a few percent. Type VI was observed in about 50% of benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostatic cancer. Type VII was frequently observed in prostatic cancer, in 13.6%, and followed by vesiculitis, prostatitis and neurogenic bladder.
The radiographic size of the colliculus seminalis was determined by the transverse diameter. By statistical analysis, above 6mm of the transverse diameter was indicated as an enlargement of the colliculus seminalis. In patients with seminal vesiculitis, prostatitis and male sterility, the transverse diameter showed a significantly larger size than normal cases with a wide distribution. This enlargement would be due to the inflammation or congestion of the colliculus seminalis. Moreover, radiographic pictures of the colliculus seminalis were unable to confirm by endoscopic observation.
The first 5 types based on the radiographic study were considered to be formed by the difference in prominence of the colliculus seminalis and urethral crista to the lumen of the urethra.
To obtain clear picture of the prostatic urethra, the author prefer to use the contrast medium with a low viscosity, and if high viscous contrast medium was used, diminishing the oblique angle of the body against the X-ray beam would be necessary.

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