ANDROGENS AND EXPERIMENTAL MENSTRUATION IN THE MONKEY (Macaca mulatto)

Abstract

Additional evidence is presented that testosterone propionate has a weak progesterone-like action on the reproductive tract of the monkey. In adequate doses it will act as follows: inhibit estrogen-withdrawal bleeding; precipitate bleeding in the presence of a maintenance dose of estrogen; inhibit estrogen in the enlargement of the cervix and metaplasia of the cervical glands; decrease markedly cornification of the vaginal mucosa; and bring about a loss of edema of the sexual skin. For the inhibition of estrogen-withdrawal bleeding for 20 days or longer, 1 mg. of progesterone daily is equivalent to about 2 mg. of testosterone propionate daily. For the precipitation of bleeding in the presence of 1,000 I. U. of estrogen daily, 1 inj. of 1 mg. progesterone is as effective as 9 mg. testosterone propionate daily for 5 days. For the production of progestational development of the endometrium, 1 mg. of progesterone daily is adequate, or less is required if given concurrently with estrogen, while 10 mg. of testosterone daily, either alone or in combination with estrogen, produces no noticeable histological modifications of the endometrium.