Effects of Sex Steroids on Lipid Levels*

ABSTRACT: In this preliminary study, pellets of pure (naturally occurring) estradiol and/or testosterone were implanted in 44 women and pellets of pure testosterone were implanted in 9 men, at six‐month intervals. The effects on serum lipid levels were determined. There was no evidence that either estradiol or testosterone influenced the blood cholesterol level in women. This is not in agreement with the findings of several other investigators who used synthetic estrogens. Also, there was no significant change in the blood levels of lipoprotein, cholesterol or triglyceride after administration of large doses of testosterone to men.