Effect of Castration in Man Upon Blood Sedimentation Rate, Hematocrit and Hemoglobin

The suspension stability of blood and values for hematocrit and hemoglobin were significantly less in castrate than in intact males. The differences between these 2 groups of subjects tended to decrease with advancing age. Titers of urinary metabolites of testicular and adrenal cortical secretions were not significantly correlated with the hematologic indices under study. It is postulated that testicular secretions are largely responsible for the lowering of sedimentation rates associated with sexual maturation of males and for the sex differences in rates of young and middle-aged adults. Treatment with testosterone propionate tended to reduce sedimentation rates in eunuchs.