EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE AND GROWTH HORMONE ON THE WEIGHTS AND COMPOSITION OF THE BODY AND ORGANS OF THE MOUSE

Abstract

White male mice were castrated at 17- to 19-g. body wt. and approx. 1 mo. later, separate groups were treated as follows: (1) injected daily with 1.1 rat growth units (1 mg.) of anterior pituitary growth hormone, (2) implanted subcut. with an approx. 14-mg. pellet of testosterone propionate and (3) both treatments simultaneously. The mice treated with the growth-hormone prepn. showed approx. the same increase in body wt. as those treated with the androgens. When the 2 hormones were administered simultaneously, there was a summation effect on the increase in body wt. The growth hormone produced a small increase in kidney wt. which was not further enhanced by extending the period of treatment. The andro-gen on the other hand, produced a much greater increase in the kidney, which was further increased on extending the period of treatment. The effects on the kidney were partially summated when the 2 hormones were administered simultaneously. Both hormones increased the total amt. of protein and water in the carcass and the organs and decreased the fat of the carcass. The increased amt. of protein was similar for both hormones, but the androgen diverted a larger proportion to the kidneys and especially the seminal vesicles and prostates. The growth hormone caused a slightly greater increase in water content and a much greater decrease in fat content of the carcass than the androgen. The simultaneous admn. of the 2 hormones produced a summation of the protein anabolic but not of the fat catabolic effects.