The fetal rat gubernaculum contains higher levels of androgen receptor than does the postnatal gubernaculum.
The androgen receptor of the rat gubernaculum was measured by a sensitive immunoblotting technique from day 19 of fetal development to day 20 of postnatal development. In relative terms (densitometric units/microgram. protein), it was found that the amount of the gubernacular androgen receptor decreased dramatically from fetal to postnatal development, coincident with the transition of the gubernaculum from a tissue primarily composed of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells in the fetus to a tissue that is primarily made up of muscle during postnatal development. We conclude that the undifferentiated mesenchyme of the fetal gubernaculum is a primary target of androgen action.
Bentvelsen
F M
FM
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-8857.
George
F W
FW
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D005333:Fetus / Q000196:embryology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development*
D011944:Receptors, Androgen