Abstract
We noted that the blood cycle persists after hysterectomy. 1 We reported the recovery of estrogenic substances from the blood 2 and urine 3 years after the onset of the physiological menopause. The present report deals mainly with the finding of estrogenic factor in the urine of human castrates.
The report is based on the study of 12 female surgical castrates, 5 physiological menopause patients and 3 X-ray castrates.
1. All of the 12 surgical castrates excreted estrogenic factor in the urine. The amount varied between 15-200 M.U.L. In 2 cases, aged 23 and 44 years, studied over a month's period, a total of 255 M.U. and 720 M.U. respectively, were excreted. The average normal excretion of a menstruating woman in the same period equals 1500 M.U. 3 Blood studies of these 2 cases failed to show estrogenic factor.
2. No correlation could be demonstrated between the relative amount of estrogenic and prepituitary gonadotropic factor of the urine. Seven patients were studied. With high readings of both luteinizing and follicle stimulating factor as little as 15 M.U.L. of estrogenic factor and as much as 200 M.U.L. were encountered.
3. No difference was noted between castration (2 cases) and castration with removal of the uterus (10 cases).
4. The subjective symptoms (flushes, arthritis) showed no correspondence with the amount of estrogenic factor excreted—6 “mild” cases with from 40 to 200 M.U.L.; 6 “severe” cases with 15 to 200 M.U.L.
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