[Changes in testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in the rat submandibular gland during development].
The present investigation deals with the changing profile of testosterone (T) and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations in the rat submandibular gland (SMG) with age. T and DHT concentrations in SMG from male and female Wistar Rats 0 to 10 weeks of age were measured by a specific radioimmunoassay. T and DHT in male and female SMG showed lower values until 3 weeks (4.5 +/- 1.5 ng/g). However, at 4 weeks of age, T levels greatly increased, revealing 15.1 +/- 6.3 ng/g for males and 18.4 +/- 6.6 ng/g for females. And thereafter from 5 to 10 weeks of age, T concentrations in SMG were decreased to 3--5 ng/g. On the other hand, from 5 to 10 weeks of age, DHT concentrations in both males and females had a tendency to be accumulated, indicating approximately 1.5--3 times higher than T. It can be reasonably concluded that DHT began to be accumulated in SMG at the period of 4 to 5 weeks of age. Furthermore, it is suggested that the rat SMG demands androgen from approximately 4 weeks of age for growth and function.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000032:analysis*; D013737:Testis / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone