Comparative androgenic, myotrophic and antigonadotrophic properties of some anabolic steroids

Abstract

Oxymetholone, oxandrolone, methandrostenolone, nandrolone phenpropionate, norbolethone, ethylestrenol, bolasterone, norethandrolone, oxymesterone, methenolone acetate, 4-chlorotestosterone acetate, stanozolol and testosterone were compared for effects upon testes, seminal vesicle, ventral prostate and levator ani weights in immature rats. Testosterone was effective on all four parameters at the lowest tested dose of 40 mcg/day. All of the other compounds showed stimulation of levator ani weight gain at dosages lower than those required to produce increases in the weights of the seminal vesicles and the ventral prostate. All of the preparations except bolasterone, methandrostenolone and testosterone increased the weight of the seminal vesicles at lower dosages than those necessary for prostate weight gain. Nandrolone phenpropionate, norbolethone, bolasterone, norethandrolone, oxymesterone, methenolone acetate and testosterone were antigonadotrophic and myotrophic at the lowest tested dose of 40 mcg/day. The other steroids were antigonadotrophic at dosages equal to or less than those required for myotrophic effects.