Abstract
The following experiments were performed to test the Androgen Testosterone Ciba for its possible replacement value of progesterone as an inhibitor of the menstrual flow.
1. Inhibition of menstruation in the normal cycle:
Monkey No. 245 was selected for this experiment for the great regularity of her menstrual cycles. These ran as follows : 1935-36 : 28, 25, 24, 24, 24, 25, 28 days; 1936-37 : 26, 25, 25, 26, 25, 26 days. The female was likewise ovulating with regularity and was fertile, a 56-day embryo having been removed by hysterotomy January 9, 1934.
Last menstrual period, March 23, followed by ovulation before April 13 (exact day not known).
Beginning April 13, 10 mg. of testosterone∗ was administered daily for 12 days, that is, to April 24 (except that 20 mg. was administered on Saturdays, none on Sundays; in this case 20 mg. was injected on the last day). Menstruation began on April 30. The succeeding cycle was 29 days in length.
Result: In this experiment the menstrual cycle was lengthened to 38 days as against an average of 25 or 26 days, a maximum of 28 days for the spontaneous cycles occurring previous to the experiment.
2. Inhibition of menstruation after castration.
Monkey No. 305. Received as mature menstruating female in September, 1934, weighing 4530 gm.
January 17, 1935, day 21 of cycle, ovarian follicle burst under palpating finger; corroborated by laparotomy January 18; menses, January 25; laparotomy January 28, ovary removed. It was found that no corpus luteum had formed.
December 2, 1935, day 8 of cycle, ovarian follicle again burst under palpating finger; laparotomy December 12, biopsy of corpus luteum and endometrium. Corpus luteum was found to be well developed.
December 18, 1936, female gave birth to normal male baby.
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