Brain 5beta-reductase: a correlate of behavioral sensitivity to androgen.
Testosterone is converted in the dove (Streptopelia risoria) brain to 5 beta-reduced metabolites that do not affect behavior. In long-term castrated birds, which are relatively insensitive to the behavioral effects of testosterone, the activity of preoptic 5 beta-reductase is increased. The increase, which is specific to the preoptic area, is reversed by estrogen. Inactivation of testosterone by 5 beta-reduction may be involved in the control of brain sensitivity to androgen.
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001717:Birds; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D002369:Castration; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014828:Vocalization, Animal
D013739:Testosterone; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C021936:3-oxo-5 beta-steroid delta 4-dehydrogenase