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

Abstract

ABSTRACT The effects of HCG and/or ACTH administration have been investigated in 2 normal subjects and in 12 male patients suffering from various endocrinopathies. It was found that: In normal adult males 3000 IU HCG given daily over three 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 epitestosterone excretions. Endogenous HCG of the type produced by chorionepitheliomas does not necessarily have an effect on testosterone and epitestosterone 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 oestrogen production from the adrenal cortex and of oestriol excretion in the urine.