THE EFFECT OF CERTAIN ANDROGENIC STEROIDS ON THE UPTAKE OF RADIOSULPHUR IN A HEALING FRACTURED BONE IN THE RAT

Abstract

The uptake of radiosulphur in the fractured and intact humerus of male rats was determined in normal and in castrated animals and the ratio F/I of radioactivity of fractured (F) to intact (I) bone was calculated. Castration resulted in a significant decrease of F/I ratio, as compared with normal control rats. The effect of testosterone propionate and 17-ethyl-19 nortestosterone (Nilevar) on the S35 uptake in bones was studied. Testosterone administration resulted in a slight increase of the F/I in castrated rats, but had no effect on this ratio in intact animals. Both castrated and intact rats treated with Nilevar exhibited a significant rise of S35 uptake in fractured bones and, consequently, high F/l ratios. It is suggested that Nilevar has a marked effect on the synthesis of chondroitin sulphate in the collagen tissues of healing fractures, as measured by the described S35 uptake technique.