Perception of Non-reproductive Testicular Functions Before Testosterone: Myths and Facts

Abstract

Mankind was aware of castration effects upon men and animals since antiquity. People knew that castrated animals were easier to control, that eunuchs were not able to make women pregnant and that people remained with a high-pitched voice when the procedure waas done before puberty. With political and socio-cultural objectives, mostly in eastern but also in some european countries, this practice was common. Testosterone deficiency was therefore prevalent.

In modern times, physicians and scientists made some findings that clarified a few things. Anatomy of male genitalia and histological studies of the testes demonstrated seminiferous tubules, interstitial and Sertoli cells. Berthold undertook a pyoneering experiment, showing that castrated (capon) roosters recovered lost male characteristics by testicular grafts. Brown-Sequard, in spite to be a recognized scientist, published a paper with subjective statements about him and his wife rejuvenated a lot thanks to injections of liquid testicular extracts, shaking media and getting severe criticism from other academicians.

Testicular opotherapy and rejuvenation surgical implant procedures became popular and made wealth to a number of quacks. But in the thirties, isolation and synthesis of sexual steroids including testostere, recovered this field for science.