[The early androgen syndrome--effect on the hormonal and immune system]

Administration of 1 mg testosterone propionate to neonate mice of both sexes on the 4th day after birth causes marked and prolonged changes in some parameters of the immune and hormonal system. At the age of one month the oestradiol level in males and females is markedly elevated, but not the testosterone level. There is a marked increase in the metabolic activity of peritoneal macrophages stimulated by zymosan and at the same time also in the percentage of cells phagocytizing inert HEMA particles. There was a marked increase in the amount of haemoglobin in females and of the bone marrow cellularity (in particular in males). Obviously also changes in cell differentiation occur, the ratio of different cell types in the peripheral blood stream changes. There is a decline of neutrophil granulocytes with a divided nucleus (in particular in males, where also the number of lymphocytes rises). The cell-mediated immune response is also altered as the graft response to the host is more intense. The humoral immunity against T-dependent antigen is also affected. The titre of IgG antibodies is reduced and the titre of IgM antibodies elevated. The results are discussed, but so far it is difficult to decide whether the observed changes of the immune system are primary, i.e. directly induced by testosterone, or whether they are secondary, i.e. induced by an elevated testosterone level.