Effects of androgens on oxygen affinity in vivo and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate content of red cells in peripheral arterial insufficiency

Abstract

The effect of testosterone on the red cell concentration of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) and on the in vivo oxygen affinity of venous blood was investigated. Six male patients with peripheral arteriosclerosis received 500 mg testosterone enantas intramuscularly for 15 weeks. Six matched controls received 2 ml NaCl weekly for the same period of time. The hemoglobin concentration, the hematocrit, and the 2,3-DPG concentration increased significantly during testosterone treatment, while no significant changes in the oxygen affinity could be detected. It is concluded that testosterone in the doses applied here does not improve oxygen unloading from the blood.