The action of human chorionic gonadotrophin on mice was inhibited by small amounts of serum (1\m=.\8c.c.) and cerebro-spinal fluid (0\m=.\6ml.) from thirty-one out of forty-two mentally and physically retarded male patients aged 8\p=n-\16 yr. Serum from some of these patients also inhibited the action of thyrotrophic hormone in mice and of corticotrophin in rats. Small (1\m=.\8ml.) amounts of serum of three out of fifteen mentally normal subjects of the same age range inhibited the action of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG).The serum of four healthy adult men had no inhibitory activity. However, the serum of the parents of two morons, whose serum was inhibitory, also inhibited the action of HCG.The inhibition of gonadotrophic activity by the serum and cerebro-spinal fluid was similar to the action of protein-free pineal extracts.

No abstract

The growth rates of a series of physically and mentally retarded male patients aged 7½ – 13½ years were studied before, during, and after treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin. HCG was given for two to seven months and a final check was made one to three years after treatment stopped. The rate of growth of the patients was considerably increased during treatment, frequently exceeding that seen during a normal pubertal growth spurt. Although the growth rate decreased after treatment stopped, it remained above the pre-treatment level. No evidence of premature epiphyseal closure was seen. The majority of the patients achieved a higher height and weight percentile. Changes in blood alkaline phosphatase, inorganic phosphorus and calcium were measured and were similar to those seen after treatment with human growth hormone. The acute effect of an injection of HCG on plasma non-esterified fatty acids was different from that reported for human growth hormone since no change was seen in the rise of free fatty acids during fasting. It is assumed that treatment with HCG triggers the endogenous production of steroids which, in their turn, stimulate pituitary anterior lobe activity.

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It is by now well established that the endocrine secretions in health, as well as in disease, have a profound influence on the structure and function of the skin. Hormones in various forms have been in use for a considerable time for therapeutic and cosmetic reasons. Often, hormones, probably more frequently in the field of cosmetics, are used with very little or no scientific justification. Cortisone, on the other hand, has proved to be of a considerable value in the treatment of skin diseases. Ebling (1957a, b) in animals, and Strauss & Pochi (1963) in man, have made an extensive study of the pilosebaceous units and have found that the sebaceous glands are readily influenced by hormonal substances. Strauss and his co-workers have assayed, amongst many other compounds, two anabolic steroids: norethandrolone and methandrostenolone, which seem to be able to increase the secretion of sebum.Mongoloid patients in hospitals frequently present dermatological problems. In some of these patients the condition is diagnosed as a chronic dermatitis, with or without secondary infection, and in others as a chronic eczema, which would indicate an allergic component. The condition has also been described as atopic dermatitis.The dermatitis, whether treated or untreated, usually persists for a very long time. Conventional treatment, whether it includes antibiotics or not, has rarely a lasting effect.Eight mongoloid male patients, ranging in age from 5 to 9 yr., were treated with an oral anabolic steroid Wyeth) in the course of metabolic investigations only remotely con¬ nected with the dermatitis. A remarkable improvement in the skin condition was noticed. In order to check the validity of this observation, four mongoloid patients were selected in addition to the eight already on treatment to match the previous group with regard to age and sex. Their skin showed the typical 'mongoloid der¬ matitis ' with various degrees of severity. They were treated for 42 days and received an average of 90 mg. of the steroid during this period. The daily dose varied between 1-25 and 2-25 mg., depending on the patients' ages and their response to the treatment.Particular attention was given to the consistency of the standard hospital environ¬ ment with regard to nutrition and hygiene. No topical or other treatment was given during the investigation.