PLASMA PROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS AND ORGAN WEIGHTS OF CASTRATED AND TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE TREATED RATS

Abstract

Castration for 20 to 25 days increased total plasma protein concns. in adult rats, due to an increase in plasma globulin. Plasma albumin had a tendency to be reduced, but not significantly, and non-protein N and hematocrit remained unchanged. Testosterone propionate prevented the plasma protein changes induced by castration, but induced varied results in normal male rats. The reproductive organs atrophied but wt. changes on a body wt, basis were not observed for the pituitary, adrenals or liver. Kidney and thyroid wts. decreased whereas splenic wt. increased following gonad removal. Small daily dosages of testosterone propionate (0.1 mg.) increased the wt. of the spleen, liver and kidney in castrated rats but was less effective in larger doses.