EFFECTS OF 17ALPHA-HYDROXY-6ALPHA-METHYLPROGESTERONE ACETATE (DEPO-PROVERA) ON URINARY GONADOTROPHINS AND OESTROGENS IN MAN.

200 mg or 100 mg of Depo-Provera was given in weekly injections to 3 phenotypic girls with gonadal dygensis and to 1 girl with marked breast enlargement and high urinary estrogens. 200 mg weekly seemed more effective in reducing the high urinary gonadotropins. In the patient with low gonadotropin excretion there was no change. Urinary estrogens were depressed by Depo-Provera in 2 girls with gonadal dysgenesis and in the girl with high urinary estrogens. There was no change in breast size and no obvious virilization or increased accelteration of bone maturation. Reduction in urinary estrogens coincided with the absence of menstruation. It is concluded that a significant gonadotropin suppressing property of Depo-Provera in man warrents further study. The possible masculinizing effect on the rat fetus is pointed out.