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Longissimus dorsi muscles from intact and castrated male ferrets were investigated at the time of maximum body weight in winter, and muscles from control and progesterone-treated animals in summer. The animals had free access to food throughout. The seasonal decrease in body weight was accompanied by decreased fat concentration in the muscle and by reduction of the subcutaneous and mesenteric fat depots.

Implantation of progesterone pellets increased the body and muscle weights of intact males (but not of castrated animals) and also increased intramuscular fat. It may have reversed the seasonal pattern of changes in that the fat in the muscle became more unsaturated. The water content of the muscle decreased only reciprocally in relation to the increased fat content. Progesterone had no obvious effect on the composition of muscle in castrated ferrets.

In summer the castrated animals had more intramuscular fat than the intact males at this time; moreover, despite the higher concentration, its degree of unsaturation was greater.