Uses and Abuses of the Male Sex Hormone

The consensus is that the male sex hormone is testosterone in active chemical combination. It is usually administered in the form of the propionate. About eleven years have now elapsed since its isolation by Laqueur and his colleagues¹and its synthesis by Ruzicka²and by Butenandt,³and there has been an opportunity to observe its effect in various diseases. In order to carry out treatment with male sex hormone intelligently, it is necessary to bear in mind certain fundamental considerations. The use of this material represents substitution therapy, whereas the use of various gonadotropins represents stimulation therapy. The testis contains two structures which have different functions although their functions are related.⁴The seminiferous tubules produce spermatozoa while the interstitial cells of Leydig produce male sex hormone. The testis may fail because of some defect in the testis itself (primary hypogonadism) or because of lack of adequate