EFFECTS OF CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (APL) IN MALE “EUNUCHOIDISM WITH LOW FOLLICLESTIMULATING HORMONE”: AQUEOUS SOLUTION VERSUS OIL AND BEESWAX SUSPENSION*†

Abstract

The effects of chorionic gonadotropin (APL) in water were compared with those of APL in oil and beeswax in studies on 9 male eunuchoids with low FSH. Criteria of effects of treatment were 17-ketosteroid excretion and testicular histologic pattern. It was concluded that the effects of APL in water given at short intervals may be achieved by the use of APL in oil and beeswax given at longer intervals. The data suggest that the aqueous APL may also be effective at the longer intervals. Therapy with APL was prolonged in 2 cases, with the production of mature testes and active spermatozoa, which disappeared when APL was stopped. The wife of one of these patients became pregnant. Prolonged therapy with testosterone was given following APL therapy in 1 case, with concomitant development of mature testes and normal numbers of active spermatozoa, which persisted when testosterone was stopped. The initial testicular biopsy in this patient showed considerable maturation. Effects of treatment cannot be evaluated unless they regress when treatment is stopped. Only on this basis may the contribution of endogenous gonadotropins be ruled out. The data indicate that APL stimulates all elements of the testis.