The effects of HCG and/or ACTH administration have been investigated in 2 normal subjects and in 12 male patients suffering from various endocrinopathies. It was found that: In normal adult males 3000 IU HCG given daily over three days appear to be sufficient to obtain a significant increase in urinary testosterone excretion. The degree of the increase appears to be dependent on the age of the patient. Prolonged HCG administration in secondary hypogonadism can lead to significant sustained increases of testosterone and epitestosterone excretions. Endogenous HCG of the type produced by chorionepitheliomas does not necessarily have an effect on testosterone and epitestosterone production in male patients. HCG stimulates the testosterone and epitestosterone secretion of the testes only; it thus has no effect on orchiectomized patients. Exogenous ACTH increases the testosterone and epitestosterone production of the adrenal cortex, the latter apparently more than the former; the testosterone/epitestosterone quotient in the urine falls. In orchiectomized patients ACTH administration leads to an increase of oestrogen production from the adrenal cortex and of oestriol excretion in the urine.

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II alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone, a synthetic antiandrogen of low toxicity, was applied topically. In short-term experiments the sebum production of the forehead in normal male subjects was reduced significantly. The cholesterol concentration of sebum decreased to a greater extent. In long-term studies in patients with seborrhoea and male-pattern alopecia, the steroid caused a marked and constant reduction of greasiness of the hair. In this group also, the cholesterol concentration of the sebum obtained from scalp hair decreased more markedly than total sebum production. Possible effects of II alpha-hydroxyprogesterone on androgenic alopecia are discussed.