CHORIONIC gonadotropin is known to stimulate growth and endocrine function of the immature human testis. When administered to cryptorchid boys, it can produce enlargement and descent of the testis and, with sufficient amounts, sexual development. In hypogonadotropic eunuchoids, it produces differentiation and growth of Leydig cells and secretion of androgen (1). Little information is available, however, regarding the effects of chorionic gonadotropin on the mature human testis. The purpose of this study has been to determine the effects of chorionic gonadotropin on the structure and function of the adult human testis. During the course of the investigation, an increase in estrogen excretion was regularly observed when the hormone was administered to men having functioning testes. The source of the estrogen, therefore, became one of the major problems of the study. Previous investigations have indicated that the testis is a major source of estrogen in men: castration results in a drop in urinary estrogen l...
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Maddock et al. (1952) studied this question.