A COMPARISON OF TOPICAL AND SUBCUTANEOUS METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION OF SIXTEEN OESTROGENS

Abstract

SUMMARY This study showed that the application of hormones directly on the surface of the skin will result in uterine and vaginal weight stimulation, at times equal to and sometimes more effective than effects obtained by s.c. injection of the same hormones in the same concentration and over the same length of time. This effect was apparent, using sixteen different oestrogens. It was also shown that the uterine weight response is more sensitive and discriminatory in detecting differences between the potencies of oestrogens than is the vaginal weight response. The rank orders by both response variables, whether by topical or s.c. administration, were similar. It was shown statistically that the differences in potency of the sixteen oestrogens tested in this study are related more to certain molecular structure than to difference in solubility, molecular weight, or melting point. It was postulated that the potency of the oestrogens was related to their molecular structure and activity within the target organs.