Effect of castration and sex hormone treatment on survival, anti-nucleic acid antibodies, and glomerulonephritis in NZB/NZW F1 mice.
NZB/NZW F1 mice of both sexes were castrated at 2 wk of age and implanted subcutaneously with silastic tubes containing either 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone or estradiol-17-beta. Mice receiving androgen showed improved survival, reduced anti-nucleic acid antibodies, or less evidence of glomerulonephritis as determined by light, immunofluorescent, and electron microscopy. By contrast, opposite effects were observed in castrated mice receiving estrogen. Intact male NZB/NZW F1 mice received androgen implants at 8 mo, an age when they develop an accelerated autoimmune disease associated with a decline in serum testosterone concentration. Such treated mice had improved survival and reduced concentrations of antibodies to DNA and to polyadenylic acid (Poly A). Prepubertal castration of male NZB/NZW F1 mice results in an earlier appearance of IgG antibodies to Poly A. This effect of castration was prevented if neonatal thymectomy was also performed.
D000367:Age Factors; D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002369:Castration; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011061:Poly A / Q000276:immunology; D013934:Thymectomy; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000502:physiology
D000728:Androgens; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D004967:Estrogens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D011061:Poly A; D004958:Estradiol; D004247:DNA