THE EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE ON NITROGEN, ELECTROLYTE, WATER AND ENERGY METABOLISM IN EUNUCHOIDISM1

Abstract

In a preceding study of the effects of long-continued treatment of eunuchoids with testosterone propionate (1), a surprising and consistent increase in body weight was observed, amounting from 1.5 to 2.0 kg. in 10 days and to 4.5 to 8.5 kg. in 28 to 64 days. This increase in weight was, in all 4 patients, accompanied by fulness of the face, in 1 by pitting edema of the ankles, and in 1 by puffing of the hands, indicating a gain in body water. In 2, however, an unmistakable increase in food intake was reported by the patients, and although, in 3, reduction of the dose of testosterone propionate or its discontinuance led to a rapid loss of at least part of the weight gained, in 1 only (H. K.), an insignificant loss appeared, as if tissue had been materially augmented by the course of treatment. Studies in 1 patient (N. T.), through such a period of weight gain showed a slight rise in the B.M.R. indicating that depression of the resting oxygen consumption was not of importance. Moricard and Bize (2) in boys, and Foss (3) in a eunuch, had also noticed this gain in weight with testosterone compounds, as had Usui and his coworkers (4) with a urinary androgen in 3 eunuchoids. Korenchevsky, Dennison and Brovsin (5) report somewhat lower weights for the body as a whole, liver, heart and kidneys in castrated rats than in controls and found that certain dosages of testosterone elevated these weights toward normal. They speak accordingly of an anabolic property of testosterone.