This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints, Permissions and Rights Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by RÖNNING, O. Articles by RAIJOLA, E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by RÖNNING, O. Articles by RAIJOLA, E.

Effect of Nandrolone Phenylpropionate on the Bone of Young Rats

Department of Anatomy, University of Turku Turku, Finland

Abstract

The effect of a synthetic anabolic hormone, nandrolone phenylpropionate, on some metabolic activities of young bone was studied in 2-month-old rats, divided into 2 major groups, each containing males and females. In the first major group some rats were given 5 mg and some 0.5 mg of hormone intramuscularly every second day, and the controls received the vehicle, olive oil. The experimental rats in the second major group received 5 mg of hormone every second day; the controls were given olive oil. The experiment lasted for 22 days. In the first major group only bone was studied; in the second both bone and blood were subjected to various tests. It was found that the weight of the femur tended to be greater in the hormone-treated animals, whereas no difference was observed in the bone length when compared to the controls. A slight drop in the N content of the bone in conjunction with an elevated Ca content resulted in a high Ca/N ratio in the male groups, indicating a maturation of the bone. Also the Ca/P ratio was slightly higher, the difference being statistically significant in one instance. The alterations in P per se were rather inconsistent. The second experiment revealed a marked drop in the alkaline phosphatase of the bony shaft of the femur only in the males. A simultaneous tendency toward a rise of the enzyme was observed in blood serum. It was felt that the hormone caused a maturation but not an aging of bone during this experimental period. (Endocrinology 75: 477,1964)

Received February 25, 1964.