The invention includes a method to identify a method to enhance survival of a subject such as a non-human primate that has been exposed to a biological insult such as an ionizing radiation dose of about LD.sub.30/30 or about LD.sub.50/30 by treating the exposed subject with a test compound an optionally comparing the results to that obtained using control subjects that had been treated with 3.beta.,17.beta.-dihydroxyandrost-5-ene or other disclosed compounds.