Differentiation between androgen and estrogen receptor mediated effects of testosterone on FSH using androgen receptor deficient (Tfm) and normal mice.
The comparison of normal and androgen receptor (AR) deficient Tfm-mice allows distinction between AR mediated and estrogen receptor (ER) mediated effects of testosterone (T)--the latter after aromatization of T to estrogens--on serum and pituitary FSH. Normal male and female as well as Tfm mice were gonadectomized after 8 days and treated for 11 days with either T, estradiol (E2) or vehicle. Serum and pituitary FSH was determined by RIA for rat FSH. In Tfm mice T caused a suppression of serum FSH, indicating an ER mediated effect. Lower serum FSH levels after T in normal mice than Tfm mice indicate an additional AR mediated suppression. Lower serum FSH values in E2 treated Tfm than in T treated Tfm mice--where T acts only through ER--suggest two classes of estrophilic cells: one which aromatizes, thus being susceptible for both T and E2, and the other which does not aromatize. Only AR but not ER mediated T effects on pituitary FSH could be demonstrated.
Schleicher
G
G
Max Planck Clinical Research Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Münster, F.R.G.
Khan
S
S
Nieschlag
E
E
D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009919:Orchiectomy; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*
D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone