THE PERIPHERAL INHIBITORY INFLUENCE OF LARGE DOSES OF TESTOSTERONE ON EPIPHYSEAL CARTILAGINOUS GROWTH

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Abstract
THE PRESENT INVESTIGATION arose from clinical experiences with hormonal therapy of acromegaly carried out in the last five years at this Institute (Hutton & Reiss 1942). Several results of this treatment could not be explained, notably the very quick reaction several patients showed after the onset of treatment with oestrone and testosterone. Particularly noticeable in this connection was a patient who developed acute acromegaly after male climacteric changes had begun. His predominant pathological symptoms were—apart from the usual acromegalic symptoms—a very marked growth of the costal cartilages (the patient could not close his coat) and the growth of the thyroid cartilage, causing almost complete aphonia. After having daily injections of 50 mg. testosterone propionate for 10 days the patient’s speech was almost completely normal, and the cartilaginous overgrowth of the ribs not only stopped, but regressed sufficiently to enable the patient to. again button his coat. Such rapid regression could not possibly be explained by the inhibition of the increased production of growth hormone in the pituitary only.