FURTHER STUDIES ON THE INFLUENCE OF OESTROGENS ON ANDROGEN DEPENDENT FRUCTOSE FORMATION IN SEX ACCESSORY ORGANS

Abstract

Testosterone alone had a stimulating effect on the fructose formation in castrate mice, but the combined treatment of testosterone and oestrogen caused significant reductions in anterior prostate levels of this carbohydrate. Oestrogens were more effective in counteracting the action of testosterone when injected early rather than late after castration. Ethynyl oestradiol and oestradiol benzoate were more effective in counteracting testosterone than other oestrogens studied. There was a greater reduction in fructose levels when lower doses of injected testosterone were simultaneously administered with oestrogen(s). In the seminal vesicles a synergistic action between testosterone and various oestrogens on fructose levels was commonly observed, though antagonism is also evident. Increasing the period of time between castration and initial injection appeared to enhance the synergistic actions of the two hormones.