THE COMPARATIVE ANDROGENIC POTENCY OF TESTOSTERONE, METHYL TESTOSTERONE AND TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE ADMINISTERED IN PELLET FORM

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Abstract
Pellets of testosterone propionate, testosterone, and methyl testosterone were implanted in groups of immature and adult castrate rats. The immature animals were castrated and implanted with a pellet when 21 days old and groups were sacrificed 5, 9, 13 and 17 days later. The adult animals were implanted 3 wks. after castration, and sacrificed 4 wks. later. To permit closer analysis, the efficiency of the compounds was detd. by correlating the wt. of the stimulated organ, the wt. of the animal, and the wt. of the absorbed androgen. Testosterone propionate pellets were most efficient when measured by the seminal vesicle and prostate response of the 13- and 17-day immature groups, and the seminal vesicle response of the adult castrate group. Testosterone pellets were most efficient in the 9- and 13-day immature groups and on the prostatic response of the adult castrate group. Testosterone pellets generally produced the largest seminal vesicle and prostate response in all groups, and permitted the greatest absorption. The 3 compounds administered as pellets showed an unexpected uniformity of androgenic potency when contrasted with the marked differences that occurred when these compounds were administered in oil soln. The uniform and slow absorption from pellets permitted testosterone and methyl testosterone to approach testosterone propionate in activity, and indicated that this might be the important effect produced by the esterification of the latter.