THE EFFECT OF A LOW DOSAGE OF TESTOSTERONE ON THE I. C. S. H.- AND F. S. H.-CONTENTS OF INTACT AND GONADECTOMIZED MALE AND FEMALE RATS

Abstract

Testosterone propionate, 100 [mu]g daily, significantly increases the low pituitary follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)-content in the female rat. This dosage does not increase the already high FSH content in males or in gonadectomized animals but hormone levels are increased in these animals when the dosage is increased to 2 mg/ day. The interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH)-content is decreased only in intact rats when 100 ug testosterone propionate is administered. In gonadectomized males and females, the ICSH-content, though relatively high initially, is not changed. Testosterone administration stimulates increased body weight in females but in castrated males, body weight increase was significantly depressed. In gonadectomized rats, the pituitary weight is decreased compared to that of intact animals due to testosterone administration.