THE EFFECTS OF ACTH AND HCG ON THE URINARY EXCRETION OF TESTOSTERONE IN MALE PATIENTS WITH VARIOUS ENDOCRINE DISORDERS

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Abstract
The effects of HCG [human chorionic gonadotropin] and/or ACTH [adrenocorticotropin] administration have been investigated in 2 normal subjects and in 12 male patients suffering from various endocrinopathies. In normal adult males 3000 IU HCG given daily over 3 days appear to be sufficient to obtain a significant increase in urinary testosterone excretion. The degree of the increase appears to be dependent on the age of the patient. Prolonged HCG administration in secondary hypogonadism can lead to significant sustained increases of testosterone and epltestosterone excretions. Endogenous HCG of the type produced by chorionepitheliomas does not necessarily have an effect on testosterone and epltestosterone production in male patients. HCG stimulates the testosterone and epitestosterone secretion of the testes only; it thus has no effect on orchiectomized patients. Exogenous ACTH increases the testosterone and epitestosterone production of the adrenal cortex, the latter apparently more than the former; the testosterone/epitestosterone quotient in the urine falls. In orchiectomized patients ACTH administration leads to an increase of estrogen production from the adrenal cortex and of estriol excretion in the urine.