THE EFFECT OF 17α-ETHYL-19-NORTESTOSTERONE AND 17α-ETHYL-19-NORTESTOSTERONE 3-ENOL-PROPIONATE ON GROWTH AND ENDOCRINE FUNCTION IN NORMAL YOUNG MALES OF SHORT STATURE

Abstract

ABSTRACT 8 courses of norethandrolone by mouth and 5 courses of 17-ethyl-19-nortestosterone 3-enol-propionate (SC-7294) i. m. were administered for 6-12 month periods to a total of 11 patients with short stature but no other abnormality. During the mean treatment period of 6 months in the combined group of patients standard height age Δ increased an average of 12 months; corrected height age Δ, a measurement introduced to evaluate growth rates in patients undergoing a spontaneous growth spurt, averaged 12.1 months and bone age maturation increased 11.5 months. Out of 13 total courses of treatment, 8 with norethandrolone and 5 with SC-7294, predicted ultimate stature appeared to have been favorably affected in 7 instances, unchanged in 4 and reduced in 2. In 7 of the patients, additional observations were made during a 6-9 month period following initial therapy. Cumulative data over a 12-15 month period in these 7 patients indicated that standard and corrected height age Δ's were equal to or exceeded bone age Δ's during the same time interval in 5 out of 7 of the patients. There was no evidence of drug toxicity to the liver; urinary 17-ketosteroids fell in a majority of patients after 6 months of therapy; no significant changes in the 17-hydroxy corticoids appeared. The drugs did not appear to suppress the urinary gonadotrophins in the dosage administered. Significant weight gain accompanied therapy in all instances. This preliminary experience indicates that carefully regulated doses of norethandrolone and SC-7294 are safe and useful for increasing immediate stature in most patients with short stature of non-endocrine origins. The drugs should be given for 6 month intervals only; ratios must be determined at the end of therapy and again a 6 month follow-up period before deciding upon the advisability of retreatment. No claim for or against the usefulness of these drugs in increasing ultimate stature can be made on the basis of this study.