THE EFFECT OF DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE ACETATE ON TESTIS SIZE AND FUNCTION IN THE COCKERELY1

Abstract

Desoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA) administered to baby chicks produced striking enlargement of the testes. Histologically this was shown to be due primarily to distention of the seminiferous tubules by intraluminal fluid. In terms of comb weight, DCA was weakly androgenic in small doses, and in larger doses it inhibited comb growth. The latter effect probably resulted from interference with endogenous androgen production.