The Male Hormone. II.

In a previous communication1 we reported that the male urine contains appreciable quantities of the male hormone, as evidenced by the increased size of comb in castrated cocks.In the course of the work we noticed that the male hormone (testiculin) shows chemical properties similar to those of estrin. For example, testiculin, like estrin, can be extracted from urine by means of chloroform. The urine to be used is adjusted to a pH of 4.0-4.5 and continuously extracted with chloroform for 6 hours. The separated chloroform layer is evaporated and the residue dissolved in an appropriate amount of olive oil.Using urinary extracts, we find that the comb growth is proportional to the amount of hormone present (see chart). We have selected as our cock unit that amount of testiculin which, when injected daily into each of 6 castrated cocks, will give an average increase in comb of 10 mm. in 10 days. Such a cock unit is found in about 75 cc. of an active urine.The administration of chloroform extracts has permitted ...