Inhibition by an Anti-androgen of Stimulation Provided by Four Androgenic Compounds

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Abstract
Employing inunction of the chick comb, studies of the stimulation afforded by 3 different androgens showed that testosterone acetate and androsterone acetate were equipotent and 3-4 times as active as dehydroepiandrosterone acetate. Dosages of these 3 androgens were selected which stimulated the same amount of comb growth and the comb was simultaneously inuncted with an anti-androgen, cyproterone acetate (Cyp A). Over a range of 10 to 80 [mu]g, Cyp A inhibited to the same extent (approximately 30%) the growth of comb produced by any of these 3 androgens. In systemic treatment, employing subcutaneous injections, Cyp A also counteracted to the same extent the stimulation provided by any of these 3 androgens, and by androstenedione. The degree of inhibition was greater with systemic than with topical use of Cyp A. Since Cyp A (or the free alcohol, cyproterone) inhibits the androgenic stimulation provided by 4 compounds which are believed to represent the major androgens (and their derivatives) secreted by testes, ovaries and adrenal glands, it appears that the androgenic secretions of all these glands may be inhibited by one antiandrogenic compound, cyproterone, used either as an acetate or as the free compound.