THE PROTEIN ANABOLIC AND OTHER EFFECTS OF TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE IN MICE: EFFECTS OF NUTRITION AND INTERRELATIONSHIP OF BIOLOGIC ACTIVITIES OF THE HORMONE1

Abstract

Various biologic properties of testosterone propionate were studied in female white Swiss mice under varying conditions. The principal activities studied were effect on body weight increase and water content of the carcass, renotropism as measured by kidney size, renal [beta]-glucuronidase activity, virilization as measured by the increase in weight of the clitoris, and adrenal depressor effect as measured by the reduction of adrenal gland weight. The variables introduced into the experiments were (1) source of animals (Rockland Farms versus our own colony); (2) level of dietary intake (unrestricted quantities of a normal diet versus restricted amounts of the same diet); and (3) variations in the composition of food (normal proteins content versus high-protein content). Renotropism, virilization, and adrenal depressor effect occurred to almost the same degree under all experimental conditions, whether or not the animals were growing at an increased rate. Conversely, the growth stimulation of testosterone propionate in the mice on a normal diet depended on the source of the animals and did not occur either on a restricted intake nor on a high-protein diet.