METHYLANDROSTENEDIOL: A PROTEIN-ANABOLIC STEROID WITH LITTLE ANDROGENIC ACTIVITY*†

Abstract

By use of the levator ani muscle of the castrate male rat as an index of protein-anabolic activity, methylandrostenediol was found to be a potent myotrophic agent in a dose of 1 mg./kg. Androgenic properties were lacking at this dose and were only found with the inordinate dose of 50 mg./kg. Studies in 46 human subjects have corroborated the occurrence of anabolic and the lack of androgenic effects. The authors prefer sublingual to intramuscular administration, since the latter forms depots. A dose of 40 mg./day sublingually has been effective and devoid of androgenic effects in adult women; 20 mg./day sublingually has been satisfactory in children, but larger doses have produced mild androgenic effects.