Counteracting the retarding effects of inanition on the awakening of copulatory ability in male rats by testosterone propionate.

Abstract

Through a restriction of amt. of food [male] rats were subjected to inanition between the ages of 30 and 50 days. Daily during restriction the rats received injs. of testosterone propionate. After 35 days of age tests for copulation began. Compared with a normal group the malnourished rats copulated 7 days earlier. Compared with a group of normally fed rats given the same course of testosterone injs. the malnourished group was 3 days delayed in the mean age of first copulation.