CONDITIONS MODIFYING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TESTOSTERONE, TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE, AND METHYL TESTOSTERONE

Abstract

Equal molecular amts. of testosterone, testosterone propionate, and methyl testosterone were administered to castrated [male][male] rats by the subcut. and percut. routes, and in the form of subcut. implanted pellets. Each was administered percut. in 4 different vehicles, 3 types of ointments and alc. The effect of prostate and seminal vesicle wts. after 21 days of daily treatment was used as the criterion of effectiveness. Each androgen was most effective when administered in pellet form. Testosterone and methyl testosterone were both more effective when given percut. in alc. than subcut. in oil, while testosterone propionate was more effective subcut. than percut. Each androgen was percut. more effective in ale. than in ointment. Applied percut. in alc., testosterone and methyl testosterone were not significantly different, but testosterone was significantly more effective than testosterone propionate. Subcut. in oil, testosterone propionate was the most effective, and methyl testosterone slightly, but not significantly more effective than testosterone. In the amts. implanted there were no significant differences in the effects of pellets of the 3 androgens. From these and other quoted data, it is concluded that the potency of each of the androgens and also their relative potencies are markedly modified by the route of adm. and, percut., by the vehicle used.