Effects of testosterone and nandrolone and some of their esters on the pseudocholinesterase activity in the liver and serum and on the seminal vesicle and levator ani muscle of the rat.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Testosterone (T), testosterone-propionate (TP), testosterone-phenyl-propionate (TPP), nandrolone (N) (19-nor-testosterone) and nandrolone-phenyl-propionate (NPP) were compared for their effects on the pseudocholinesterase activities in the liver and serum of castrated male rats. In addition changes in the weight of the seminal vesicle and the levator ani muscle were studied. After daily administration of 1 mg of the hormones for ten days, T and TPP showed a more marked depression of the pseudocholinesterase activity and seminal vesicle than the corresponding nor-derivatives. TP and TPP have approximately similar effects, exceeding those of T. On the levator ani N and NPP were more effective than T and TPP. At identical total doses, administration of all hormones with intervals of more than one day, produced less depression of the pseudocholinesterase activity and less seminal vesicle growth than daily administration. The effects on the levator ani were less influenced by varying intervals. At an interval of four days TPP still had a potent effect on the enzyme activity and the seminal vesicle, whereas T was almost without effect. Prolonged administration showed that the effects on the enzyme activity and the seminal vesicle of N and NPP could not reach the maximum effects of T and TPP respectively.