Comparative Study of Metabolic Effects of Estradiol Benzoate and Testosterone Propionate in Man123

In extending the work of Thorn and Harrop (1) describing the sodium retaining influence of several steroids of the sex hormone series Thorn and Engel (2) noted that the urinary excretion of nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus was depressed by estradiol, estrone or pregnancy urine estrogens. Thus, 5 mg. of estradiol benzpate given in one injection to a normal male dog reduced urinary nitrogen from 10.4 to 8.2 gm. the second day after injection and reduced urinary inorganic phosphorus from 0.56 gm. per day to 0.43 and 0.39 gm. on the second and third days after injection. Urinary sodium and chloride also declined as in the earlier experiments while urinary potassium was unaltered. Evidence was further provided that these effects were not mediated by the adrenal cortex. In adrenalectomizied dogs pregnancy urine estrogens partially retarded the diuresis of sodium and chloride, consequent upon withdrawal of adrenal extract. Seventeen mg. of estradiol benzoate given in a single injection to a woman with Addison's disease from whom adrenal extract was withdrawn reduced urinary nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, sodium and chloride excretion.