Studies on the Uterine Growth-Stimulating Effects of Combinations of Testosterone Propionate and Natural Oestrogens

Abstract

Testosterone propionate (TP), at a high dose level, produces an increase in the uterine growth produced by oestrone, 17β-oestradiol or oestriol, also at high dose levels. When low doses of TP were added to relatively high doses of the oestrogens, they were found to be additive with oestriol, inactive with 17β-oestradiol and inhibitory only with oestrone. Although in the conditions of this test the major type of interaction between oestrogens and androgens is additive, an inhibitory component is sometimes present. This is in contrast to the findings of Velardo and our own mouse uterine growth studies in which inhibition was most obvious. This additive-inhibitory pattern of activities appears characteristic for mixtures of oestrogens and other steroids, which suggests a sort of buffering on the biological level.

The Effect of Various Anti-Oestrogenic Compounds on the Reticulo-Endothelial System and Reproductive Tract in the Ovariectomized Mouse

“…These findings are in general agreement with those of Korenchevsky & Hall (1937), Saunders & Drill (1956), Edgren, Calhoun & Harris (1960), Dorfman (1962) and Lerner (1964). Further, the administration of oestriol resulted in marked cornification of the vagina, whereas the other compounds had no effect.…”

“…Some depression of the diethyl¬ stilboestrol-stimulated vaginal response was observed when the daily dose of oestriol was 0-1 mg., but a completely positive response was recorded with doses above and below this level. The lack of correlation between the response of the uterus and that of the vagina to the action of anti-oestrogenic compounds found is in agreement with the results of Edgren (1957), Edgren et al (1960) and Emmens, Cox & Martin (1960), who concluded that these compounds act by antagonizing the mechanism by which the migration of leucocytes into the vaginal canal is blocked by oestrogens. Our findings show also that inhibition of the vaginal smear response to oestrogen may be complete although depression of uterine weight to the level of the untreated controls does not occur.…”