EFFECT OF SUBCUTANEOUS IMPLANTATION OF ADRENALIN TABLETS ON BLOOD-SUGAR AND MILK COMPOSITION IN LACTATING RUMINANTS

Abstract

A very prolonged effect of certain hormones can be obtained by the subcutaneous implantation of a compressed tablet of undiluted, crystalline substance [Deanesly and Parkes, 1937]. This technique has proved to be specially useful with oestrone and testosterone, or testosterone propionate, and effects lasting many months can be obtained from a single administration. The great efficiency of the method seems to be due to slow and even absorption over a long period, so that the alternation of wasteful excess and sub-threshold concentrations, such as is often produced by the daily injection of solutions, is avoided. In considering whether such a technique could be usefully applied to other hormones it was reasonable to take account of adrenalin, the most rapidly acting and quickly destroyed of the hormones. Further, of the various physiological responses to adrenalin, that of the blood-sugar seemed the most promising for investigation of the effects of prolonged action.