RESUMO
A survey was undertaken of senior medical specialists in drug dependence in England and Wales, enquiring about their attitudes and practices concerning the prescription of amphetamines to dependent users. Of the 149 who replied, 60% saw a role for amphetamine prescribing, with 46% currently doing so. Of those who did not prescribe, 32% would like to have done so. Respondents often did not know if general practitioners in their area were prescribing amphetamines. Many could not estimate the percentage of injecting amphetamine users in their area. There was a wide range in the dosage of amphetamine prescribed with a mean maximum of 66 mg. There was agreement about entry criteria for prescribing programmes and also on ways of monitoring those receiving amphetamine. Our results indicate that amphetamine prescribing is widespread in England and Wales although there is little scientific evidence for its efficacy. We have developed some guidelines for good practice, drawing on our own and others' experience.
RESUMO
Wethers (at least 2 1/2 years after castration) were implanted with testosterone propionate (TP), oestradiol dipropionate (ODP), dihydrotestosterone, or a combination of dihydrotestosterone and ODP Silastic capsules. Active immunization against both oestradiol and oestrone or oestradiol only was used to negate effects of oestrogens produced by aromatization of TP. On exposure to oestrous ewes, immunization of wethers implanted with TP significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced all components of mating behaviour (except sniffing and Flehmen) to levels seen in untreated controls. The results support the conclusion that dihydrotestosterone potentiates the action of oestrogens, particularly as regards Flehmen, and has no action on its own within the central nervous system, while oestrogens do not restore mating activity to the same level as that following treatment with testosterone.
