THE EFFECT OF DOSE AND NUTRITIVE STATE ON THE RENOTROPHIC AND ANDROGENIC ACTIVITIES OF VARIOUS STEROIDS

Abstract

When testosterone; testosterone propionate; 17-methyl testosterone; andros-tanol-17([alpha]), one-3; androstanediol-3([alpha]),17([alpha]) and 17-methyl androstanediol-3([alpha]),17([alpha]) pellets are implanted sub-cutan. in mice they produce the same renotrophic effect/mole equivalent. The first 4 steroids also produced the same androgenic effect but the diols were much less effective in this respect. Acetylation or substitution of a 3([beta]) -hydroxyl group for the 3 ([alpha])-hydroxyl group resulted in further decrease in androgenic potency. The renotrophic and androgenic efficacies of all of the compounds were rapidly decreased with increase in dose. The amt. of the most active compounds necessary to restore the kidneys and seminal vesicles and prostates to normal size in the castrated mouse was very small; 15 [mu]g or less/day were required over a 30 day period. During undernutrition, the castrated mouse loses relatively less amts. of kidney tissue than the normal mouse. The admn. of active steroids to these animals produces as great an accessory sex organ response but a much lower kidney response than that in the well-fed castrated mouse.