Horace C. Thuline

The effects of testosterone treatment in Klinefelter's syndrome*

The effects of 7 months of testosterone therapy in 5 male patients with Klinefelters syndrome are presented. Physical features, bone age, adrenal function, and behavioral characteristics were evaluated for a period of one year. The values of urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, 17-ketosteroids, and pregnanetriol were normal throughout the study; however, significant reduction of plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid response to ACTH was observed at the end of the treatment period. Bone age advanced in all the subjects. Gynecomastia decreased with therapy and recurred after cessation of it. Coincidental with the maturation of secondary sex characteristics and acquisition of a masculine physique, behavior was observed to become more assertive and goal directed. Testosterone therapy may be more appropriate during adolescence than in the preor postadolescent periods.

Defective Antibody Response to Bacteriophage ox 174 in Down Syndrome.

Antibody responses to bacteriophage OX 174 were studied in 17 institutionalized patients with trisomy 21 and in six mentally retarded control patients with normal karyotype. Primary antibody response was significantly imparired in 11 of the 17 patients. Secondary immune response was normal in one, moderately impaired in seven, and very low in nine patients. Tetiary immunization further differentiated the two groups: those with moderately impaired secondary immune responses developed normal serum titers of predominatly IgG antibody; patients with low secondary immune responses had extremely impaired tetiary immune responses consisting mainly of serum IgM antibody.